Força muscular periférica, mobilidade e qualidade de vida em pacientes hospitalizados por deficiências cardiovasculares: estudo transversal

INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular disabilities (CVDs) consist of alterations in cardiovascular function and other organs and systems. OBJECTIVE: Assess and compare peripheral muscle strength, mobility, and quality of life in hospitalized patients with CVDs. METHODS: Cross-sectional and prospective study, convenience sample, in a university hospital, convenience sample of patients of both sexes aged 18 years or older. The Medical Research Council (MRC) and Functional Status Score for the ICU (FSS-ICU) scores and the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) were evaluated. Categorical variables were described by frequencies. Quantitative variables were described in terms of central tendency and dispersion. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to test for normal distribution. Comparison between variables was performed using Student's t-test or Mann-Whitney test and ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis test. Significance level p<0.05. Analyses were performed using Jamovi software. RESULTS: 102 patients, MRC 58 (48-60), FSS-ICU 34 (29-35), QV - MLHFQ 49.1±21.4. MRC showed a significant difference between the sexes for women (p=0.004) and MLHFQ showed poor quality of life in 61 patients with 59.80%. The MRC score was higher among men (p=0.004). Mobility was preserved in patients with fewer comorbidities (p=0.040). DISCUSSION: Muscle mass characteristic of the diagnosis of CVD does not necessarily determine the presence of muscle weakness. Mobility may be associated with peripheral muscle strength. QoL is impacted by the presence of dyspnea, fatigue, and edema characteristics of CVD. CONCLUSION: Patients had preserved MRC and FSS and reduced QoL, with lower muscle strength scores in women and lower mobility in patients with three or more comorbidities.