Objective: To assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among adults with stroke sequelae and to identify the factors that influenced the domains of HRQoL. Method: The subjects were adults with stroke who were admitted to a rehabilitation program between March and August 2008. They were investigated using the following instruments: Medical Outcomes 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), Functional Independence Measure (FIM) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Sixty-four adults of mean age 58.8 years were evaluated. Results: The individuals who had had their injuries for longer times and who were more independent and younger had better HRQoL regarding physical functioning. Social participation was associated with better HRQoL, and there was a difference between groups with and without depressive symptoms. Conclusion: HRQoL was compromised primarily with regard to functional characteristics. Moreover, the presence of depressive symptoms contributed towards a decline in HRQoL. Rehabilitation needs to focus on improving functionality and social participation, which may stimulate reductions in depressive symptoms and improvement of HRQoL.

RESUMOO estudo comparou níveis de ansiedade e depressão de mulheres treinadas em exercício resistido e de sedentárias. Quarenta mulheres, 20 treinadas (GT) e 20 não treinadas (GC), (GT=56,9±6,6 anos; 27,3±4,8kg/m 2 ), (GC=51,5±5,0 anos; 27,0±7,7 kg/m 2 ) participaram do estudo. As participantes responderam a escala HAD com 14 questões relacionadas aos níveis de ansiedade e depressão. O GC apresentou escores mais elevados de depressão e ansiedade que o GT. Os resultados para ansiedade (GT=5,2±2,7; GC=9,5±4,0) e depressão (GT=4,1±2,6; GC=7,7±4,0) diferiram significativamente (P<0,05) entre os grupos. Pode-se concluir que mulheres de meia idade que participaram de programa de exercícios resistidos apresentaram melhor estado de saúde mental verificados por menores níveis de depressão e ansiedade do que mulheres sedentárias. Palavras-chave: Exercício resistido. Envelhecimento. Ansiedade. Depressão. ABSTRACTThis study aimed to compare levels of anxiety and depression of middle-aged women trained in resistance exercise and sedentary. Forty women, 20 exercised (GT) and 20 non-exercised (CG) (GT = 56.9 ± 6.6 years, 27.3 ± 4.8 kg/m 2 ), (CG = 51.5 ± 5.0 years, 27.0 ± 7.7 kg/m 2 ) underwent the study. The participants answered the HAD scale with 14 questions related to levels of anxiety and depression. The CG had higher scores of depression and anxiety than GT. The results for anxiety (GT = 5.2 ± 2.7, CG = 9.5 ± 4.0) and depression (GT = 4.1 ± 2.6, CG = 7.7 ± 4.0) differed significantly (P<0.05) between groups. Middle-Aged women who participated in a resistance exercise program presented a better mental health as evidenced by a lower levels of depression and anxiety in relation to sedentary counterpartners.

Introduction: The Diabetes Mellitus is a chronic disease whose treatment requires strict clinical care and continuing education such as medication, nutrition and physical activity. Education is a decisive factor in preventing complications that may arise from the failure of therapy. Therefore, the therapeutic adherence must include a psycho-social approach. Objectives: To study the degree of adherence to the pharmacologic treatment and dietary habits in patients with type I and type II diabetes mellitus and to evaluate the influence of the level of education, sex and type of diabetes. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted of the descriptive-correlational type. The sample consisted of 100 diabetic type I and type II individuals and was obtained by convenience at the health center of S. Martinho do Bispo, in Coimbra-Portugal, during the period from May till June 2009. Results and conclusions: The results indicate a high adherence to therapy, reflected trhough the diet and also the pharmacological treatment. However, the higher adherence found was related to prescription of medication. The demographic variables such as sex and level of education of patients, seem to positively influence the adherence to treatment.