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BACKGROUND: Fat mass to fat-free mass ratio (FM/FFM) assesses the combined effect of the balance between fat mass and fat-free mass.AIMS: to evaluate the associations beetween FM/FFM and clinical outcomes in asthma and to compare clinical characteristics between individuals with higher and lower FM/FFM.METHODS: 128 participants with asthma underwent anthropometric, spirometry and bioelectrical impedance assessments. Physical activity in daily life (PADL) was assessed by the Actigraph for 7 days. Daily dose of inhaled medication, steps of pharmacological treatment, Asthma Control Questionnaire, Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were also assessed. Participants were classified into two groups according to the 50th percentile of reference values for FM/FFM.RESULTS: Individuals with higher FM/FFM (n=75) used higher daily doses of inhaled corticosteroids, had worse lung function and fewer steps/day when compared to those with lower FM/FFM (n=53) (P≤0.021). Associations were found between absolute values of FM/FFM with lung function (FEV1 and FVC [liters]): R2=0.207 and 0.364;PCONCLUSION: Higher FM/FFM is significantly associated with worse clinical characteristics in individuals with asthma, such as higher doses of inhaled corticosteroids, worse lung function and fewer steps/day. Moreover, higher FM/FFM is a determining factor of physical inactivity and the highest steps of pharmacological treatment for asthma.

The use of illicit substances can lead to several changes in physical and mental health, which can directly reflect on functional capacity and quality of life. However, there is a lack in the literature on the comparison of these variables between drug addicts and healthy individuals. To compare lung function, functional exercise capacity and quality of life of chemical dependents in rehabilitation process (CDRP) and apparently healthy individuals (AHI). Cross-sectional study that evaluated two groups (CDRP and AHI) matched by gender, age and BMI. Both groups were assessed for lung function (spirometry), quality of life (Short Form 36 questionnaire - SF-36), functional exercise capacity (6-minute walk test - 6MWT, 4-meter gait speed, Timed-up-and-go, Sit-to-Stand and Short Physical Performance Battery). Fifteen men in the CDRP group (31[26-39] years; BMI 23±3 kg/m2) and fifteen men in the AHI group (30[22-34] years; BMI 24±3 kg/m2) were analyzed. The CDRP group had a shorter distance covered in the 6MWT in meters (P=0.0002) and percentage of predicted (P=0.005). There was no difference in the performance of the other functional tests (P≥0.20) and in the pulmonary function (P≥0.46). The CDRP group had worse results in the functional capacity, pain, social aspects and mental health domains of SF-36 (P≤0.04), while in the domains general status, vitality, emotional and physical aspects there was no difference (P≥0.08). CDRP present similar lung function to AHI. However, the first have impaired functional exercise capacity, as well as some aspects of quality of life. Keywords: Drug Users. Motor Activity. Spirometry. Walk Test. Quality of Life. ResumoO uso de substâncias ilícitas pode levar a diversas alterações da saúde física e mental, o que pode refletir diretamente na capacidade funcional e na qualidade de vida. Porém, há uma escassez na literatura sobre a comparação dessas variáveis entre dependentes químicos e indivíduos saudáveis. Comparar função pulmonar, capacidade funcional de exercício e qualidade de vida de dependentes químicos em processo de reabilitação (DQPR) e indivíduos aparentemente saudáveis (AS). Estudo transversal que avaliou dois grupos (DQPR e AS) pareados por gênero, idade e IMC. Ambos os grupos foram avaliados quanto à função pulmonar (espirometria), qualidade de vida (questionário Short Form 36 – SF-36), capacidade funcional de exercício (Teste de Caminhada de 6 minutos - TC6, 4-metre gait speed, Timed-up-and-go, Sit-to-Stand e Short Physical Performace Battery). Foram analisados 15 homens no grupo DQPR (31[26-39] anos; IMC 23±3 kg/m2) e 15 homens no grupo AS (30[22-34] anos; IMC 24±3 kg/m2). O grupo DQPR apresentou uma menor distância percorrida no TC6 em metros (P=0,0002) e porcentagem do predito (P=0,005). Não houve diferença no desempenho dos demais testes funcionais (P≥0,20) e na função pulmonar (P≥0,46). O grupo DQPR apresentou piores resultados nos domínios capacidade funcional, dor, aspectos sociais e saúde mental do SF-36 (P≤0,04), enquanto que nos domínios estado geral, vitalidade, aspectos emocionais e físicos não houve diferença (P≥0,08). Homens dependentes químicos em processo de reabilitação apresentam função pulmonar semelhante a indivíduos aparentemente saudáveis. Entretanto, apresentam capacidade funcional de exercício prejudicada, assim como alguns aspectos da qualidade de vida. Palavras-chave: Usuários de Drogas. Atividade Motora. Espirometria. Teste de Caminhada. Qualidade de Vida.

Objectives To establish reference values and equations (ages 20-80y) for 7 simple functional tests based on a multicenter study. Design Cross-sectional data collection in 4 research centers across different regions of a continental dimension country. Setting Healthy subjects from general community were assessed in different research laboratories. Participants Data collection of 296 volunteer subjects (N=296; 45% men; aged 50±18y, forced expiratory volume in the first second 95±13% pred, body mass index 26.9±4.5 kg/m2) aged 20-80 years; representing both sexes; with the ability to understand and perform all proposed assessments; and with no severe and/or unstable condition that could limit functional assessments occurred simultaneously in all centers. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures All participants randomly performed the following 7 functional tests twice: (1) the 4-meter gait speed test at usual walking speed; (2) the 4-meter gait speed test at maximal walking speed; (3) the Sit-to-Stand test performed with 5 repetitions; (4) the Sit-to-Stand test performed in 30 seconds; (5) the Sit-to-Stand test performed in 1 minute; (6) the Timed Up and Go test at usual speed; and (7) the Timed Up and Go test at maximal speed. Spirometry, quality of life, depression, anxiety, physical activity, and comorbidities were also assessed to better characterize the sample. The best performance of each test was used to propose reference values for men and women and reference equations for all. Results Participants similarly distributed by age groups from the 4 centers were included. All tests were correlated with age (0.34 Conclusions Reference values and equations for 7 widely used simple functional tests were provided in this study and might help researchers and clinicians to identify and quantify functional impairments using easy-to-perform assessments.