Introduction: Psychosocial aspects need to be discussed in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. Currently, no studies have investigated the factors associated with social isolation and loneliness among community-dwelling older adults. Therefore, this study analyzed the association of social isolation and loneliness with socioeconomic, clinical, and health characteristics, and Covid-19-related variables, among community-dwelling older adults during the pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted via a telephone survey of community-dwelling older adults aged ≥60 years in Macapa, Amapa, Brazil. A structured form was used to collect data. Descriptive and inferential analyses were performed using Pearson's correlation test and a linear regression model. Results: Participants comprised 86 community-dwelling older adults with a mean age of 71.78+6.98 years. Among them, 9.3% were diagnosed with Covid-19, of whom 3.5% were hospitalized. Most participants reported no difficulty obtaining food, medicines, or attending routine medical appointments during the pandemic. Furthermore, 23.3% (n=20) were socially isolated, and 20.9% (n=18) reported feelings of loneliness. The mean values for fear, anxiety, and obsession were 19.01±7.25, 1.01±1.90, and 2.84±3.28, respectively. A moderate positive correlation was identified between loneliness and the number of diseases, and a weak positive correlation between loneliness and the number of medications and depressive symptoms and risk for sarcopenia. The linear regression model indicated that higher loneliness scores were associated with a greater number of diseases (β=0.288; p=0.007). Conclusions: The findings suggest a probable resilience of the older population to Covid-19, despite the association of loneliness with many diseases in times of a pandemic.

Introduction: Techniques for lung expansion seem to benefit patients with drained and undrained pleural effusion, but there is a lack of evidence to indicate which technique is best in each situation. Currently, the therapeutic choices of respiratory physiotherapists serving this population are not known. Objective: To know which lung expansion techniques are chosen by chest physiotherapists who assist patients with drained and non-drained pleural effusion. Method: Through the announcement of the Federal Council, 232 physiotherapists who work in hospitals in Brazil were questioned about which techniques they apply to patients with drained and non-drained effusion. Results: Initially, 512 were questioned but 232 (45.3%) answered. The physiotherapists associate more than one technique of lung expansion in both types of patients, besides walking. Deep breathing is the most used technique in patients with drained (92%) and non-drained (77%) pleural effusion. Positive pressure exercises in the airways are chosen by 60% of the physiotherapists to treat patients with drained pleural effusion and by 34% to treat patients with non-drained pleural effusion. Yet the incentive spirometry are used with 66% of patients with drained pleural effusion and 42% with non-drained ones. Conclusion: Deep breathing is the most applied lung expansion technique in the treatment of patients with drained and non-drained pleural effusion by chest physiotherapists. In addition, there is association between greatest degree and time of professional performance and the chosen techniques.

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Este estudo tem como objetivo investigar os discursos dos alunos da modalidade de Educação à Distância (EaD) produzidos em fóruns de discussão no Ambiente Virtual de Aprendizagem (AVA). Tenciona-se conhecer a identidade dos estudantes de EaD, conhecer de forma mais aprofundada quem são estes sujeitos, através de um exame detalhado de suas falas. No espaço da Educação a Distância, a relação entre alunos dáse, diferentemente do ensino convencional, através da mediação dos recursos tecnológicos. Entende-se que é possível construir perfis de alunos da EaD a partir dos textos apresentados nos fóruns. No ambiente virtual, pressupõe-se que os estudantes corporificam-se por meio do seu discurso. Por não existir a possibilidade de haver uma presença física, a configuração do sujeito se dá através da sua própria fala.

Purpose Impaired respiratory muscle strength has been associated with some geriatric syndromes. However, no studies have previously evaluated the relationship between respiratory muscle strength and dynapenic abdominal obesity. This study aimed to analyze whether there is an association between respiratory muscle strength and abdominal obesity, dynapenia and dynapenic abdominal obesity (DAO) in community-dwelling older adults. Patients and Methods Cross-sectional study conducted with community-dwelling older adults (n=382 / 70.03 ± 7.3 years) from Macapá, Amapá, Brazil. Respiratory muscle strength was assessed by measuring maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures (MIP and MEP, respectively), using an analog manovacuometry. DAO was defined as the combination of dynapenia (grip strength < 26 kgf for men and < 16 kgf for women) and abdominal obesity (abdominal circumference > 102 cm for men and > 88 cm for women). We performed descriptive and inferential statistical analyses using the student’s t -test for independent and related samples and linear regression model. Results Older adults with abdominal obesity, dynapenia, and DAO presented lower mean values (obtained and obtained versus predicted; except abdominal obesity versus MIP) for maximal respiratory pressures compared to individuals without these conditions. However, the adjusted analysis only indicated an association between MIP and the following conditions: dynapenia (MIP - β =−0.171; p<0.001), abdominal obesity (MIP - β=0.102; p=0.042), and DAO (MIP - β=−0.101; p=0.028). Conclusion Older adults with abdominal obesity, dynapenia, and DAO showed impaired maximal respiratory pressures. The results of the adjusted analysis indicate that inspiratory muscle strength may require greater attention by health professionals aiming at preventing respiratory complications and improving respiratory health care in older people with these conditions.