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Applicability of activities of daily living tests in individuals with heart failure

Limitation in activities of daily living (ADL) caused by dyspnea is a common finding in patients with heart failure (HF), functional class III and IV. Specific assessment of ADL limitation could be used as a parameter of the disease progression and the therapy response. However, there is a shortage of instruments to assess ADL in this population. This study aimed to determine the applicability of the London Chest Activity of Daily Living (LCADL) and the Glittre ADL-test (T Glittre), to evaluate functional limitations of individuals with HF functional class III and IV. Ten patients (57±9 years, 27.5±4.5kg/m²) of both genders with a clinical diagnosis of HF functional class III and IV and left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) 34±7% participated in the study. Spirometry, body mass index (BMI), LCADL, six-minute walking test (6MWT), T Glittre, Medical Research Council Scale (MRC) and SF-36 were performed. The patients had an average score of the LCADLtotal from 27.7±12.1 (LCADL%total: 41.5±16.9) and time of T Glittre 6.3±4.8 minutes. A positive correlation was found between them (r = 0.88, p<0.05). LCADL%total correlated with 6MWT (r =-0.83), LVEF (r =-0.64), MRC (r =0.68) and Functional Capacity (FC) of the SF-36 (r =-0.63) (p<0.05). T Glittre correlated with 6MWT (r =-0.90), LVEF (r =-0.66) and CF of the SF-36 (r =-0.69) (p<0.05). In conclusion, the LCADL scale and T Glittre have applicability in patients with HF class III and IV, demonstrating association with LVEF, distance on the 6MWT, degree of dyspnea and quality of life.

heart failure; dyspnea; activities of daily living


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