Associação entre equilíbrio postural e qualidade de vida em indivíduos com Doença Pulmonar Obstrutiva Crônica hospitalizados.

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) limits airflow, increasing the risk of falls and compromising quality of life (QoL), especially during hospitalization. Objective: To investigate the relationship between postural balance and QoL in hospitalized patients with COPD. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted with patients hospitalized with COPD at Hospital Bom Samaritano, in Governador Valadares, MG, Brazil. Balance was assessed using the Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test (Mini-BESTest), and QoL was assessed using the EuroQol 5 Dimensions (EQ-5D). Results: Six patients participated, 4 (66.7%) of whom were men, with a mean age of 71.5 ± 8.89 years and a mean FEV1/FVC of 51.2 ± 13.8. The mean scores for the EQ-5D and Mini-BESTest were 7.17 ± 1.33 and 21.8 ± 3.49, respectively. No significant correlation was found between the total EQ-5D and Mini-BESTest scores (r = -0.152; p = 0.774), but a significant negative correlation was identified between the EQ-5D pain/discomfort domain and balance (r = -0.828; p = 0.042). Conclusion: No significant association was found between postural balance and QoL in hospitalized patients with COPD, except in the pain/discomfort domain.