Dyspnea is related to reduced functional capacity and skeletal muscle strength in patients prior to autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Background: Patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) have muscle weakness, as well as exhibit reduced cardiorespiratory fitness, which can add to dyspnea. Objectives: To evaluate whether the dyspnea is related to functional capacity and skeletal muscle strength in patients prior to HSCT. In addition, we hypothesize that physical variables were lower than normative values. Methods: Patients hospitalized for autologous HSCT were assessed at hospital admission in terms of dyspnea (mMRC), peripheral muscle strength of upper (Handgrip Test) and lower limbs (Sit-to-Stand Test - time to 10th repetition), respiratory muscle strength (manovacuometry; MIP and MEP) and functional capacity (6-Minute Step Test). Dyspnea and physical variables were subjected to a simple linear regression. Moreover, the performed physical variables were compared to the normative values (Student´s t-test). Results: Twenty-nine patients were included (16 males; 46 yr). Dyspnea was related to functional capacity (R=-0.50; P Conclusions: Dyspnea was related to functional capacity and inspiratory muscle strength. Moreover, functional capacity and peripheral muscle strength are impaired in patients prior to autologous HSCT.