Introduction
Decreased lower limb’s isometric strength (LLIS) is associated with impaired functional capacity, however there is not sufficient evidence showing direct impact of peripheral muscle weakness on balance tasks, as well as on prognosis of mortality in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Objectives
To assess the correlation of the LLIS with BODE index and functional balance in patients with COPD in pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) and to investigate if these patients present muscle weakness, being able to influence the balance and the prognosis of mortality.
Materials and methods
This was a cross-sectional study which evaluated 24 patients (age > 50 years) of either genders, with moderate to very severe obstruction (FEV1 = 44 (31 - 62,8)% predicted). The following assessments were conducted: modified Medical Research Council (mMRC), Six-minute Walk Test (6MWT), BODE index, Timed Test "Up and Go" (TUG), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Dynamic Gait Index (DGI), Muscle Strength Test in Knee Extensors (KExt) and Hip Abductors (HAbd).
Results
In this sample, 54% of patients had muscle weakness in ExtJ, with significant correlations of LLIS with BODE index (HAbd = -0.58) and mMRC (KExt = -0.48; HAbd = -0.49). There were differences for 6MWT and mMRC among patients with normal or decreased knee extensor strength.
Conclusions
The HAbd strength is associated with the prognosis of mortality and LLIS with dyspnea in patients with COPD, even under PR program. Although LLIS presented negative impact on functional capacity and dyspnea, these patients tend to keep preserved balance and functional mobility.
Muscle strength; Mortality; Balance; COPD
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