The purpose of the present study was to translate and adapt the Berg balance scale, an instrument for functional balance assessment, to Brazilian-Portuguese and to determine the reliability of scores obtained with the Brazilian adaptation. Two persons proficient in English independently translated the original scale into Brazilian-Portuguese and a consensus version was generated. Two translators performed a back translation. Discrepancies were discussed and solved by a panel. Forty patients older than 65 years and 40 therapists were included in the cultural adaptation phase. If more than 15% of therapists or patients reported difficulty in understanding an item, that item was reformulated and reapplied. The final Brazilian version was then tested on 36 elderly patients (over age 65). The average age was 72 years. Reliability of the measure was assessed twice by one physical therapist (1-week interval between assessments) and once by one independent physical therapist. Descriptive analysis was used to characterize the patients. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Pearson's correlation coefficient were computed to assess intra-and interobserver reliability. Six questions were modified during the translation stage and cultural adaptation phase. The ICC for intra-and interobserver reliability was 0.99 (P < 0.001) and 0.98 (P < 0.001), respectively. The Pearson correlation coefficient for intra-and interobserver reliability was 0.98 (P < 0.001) and 0.97 (P < 0.001), respectively. We conclude that the Brazilian version of the Berg balance scale is a reliable instrument to be used in balance assessment of elderly Brazilian patients.

Rev Bras Reumatol, v. 46, n.5, p. 323-328, set/out, 2006 ARTIGO ORIGINAL ORIGINAL ARTICLE RESUMO Objetivo: correlacionar o instrumento de avaliação de qualidade de vida específico para osteoporose, o Osteoporosis Assessment Questionnaire (OPAQ), com o instrumento genérico, o The Medical Outcomes Study 36 -Item Short Form Health Survery (SF -36). Pacientes e Métodos: estudo observacional de corte transversal que incluiu 40 mulheres acima de 60 anos, diagnosticadas com osteoporose. Houve um momento para avaliação e um único examinador. Para a análise estatística foram utilizados coeficiente correlação de Pearson e análise fatorial do OPAQ. Resultados: houve correlação entre os domínios e componentes finais do SF-36 com os domínios do OPAQ. Evidenciou-se que os coeficientes mais altos foram entre o OPAQ Sintomas e os seguintes domínios do SF-36: dor (r=-0,6), aspectos sociais (r=-0,6%) e saúde mental (r=-0,5). Quase todos os aspectos do SF-36 se correlacionaram com o OPAQ Sintomas. E, ainda, por análise fatorial do OPAQ, observa-se que os seus 18 componentes representaram 63% de carga fatorial, ou seja, eles explicaram o valor total de impacto da osteoporose na qualidade de vida e agruparam-se em cinco fatores: fator 1 (mobilidade, cuidados próprios, independência e trabalho doméstico), fator 2 (flexibilidade, movimentação e sono), fator 3 (dor nas costas, dor relacionada à osteoporose, fadiga e humor), fator 4 (medo de cair, atividades sociais, apoio familiar e tensão) e fator 5 (andarinclinar, imagem corporal e trabalho). Conclusão: foi encontrada a correlação esperada entre SF-36 e OPAQ, que é um instrumento de avaliação específico com capacidade para avaliar aspectos específicos e gerais da qualidade de vida nesta população.Palavras-chave: qualidade de vida, osteoporose, SF-36, OPAQ.ABSTRACT Objective: to correlate the quality of life assessment instrument, specific to osteoporosis, OPAQ (Osteoporosis Assessment Questionnaire), with the generic instrument SF-36 (Item Short Form Health Survey). Patients and Methods: the cross sectional observational study included 40 female patients older than 60 years with osteoporosis. A single assessment was always conducted by the same evaluator. For the statistics analisys the Pearson's coefficient and the factor analysis to OPAQ were used. Results: there was a correlation between the domains and final components of SF-36 with the domains of OPAQ. The higher coefficients were between the OPAQ Symptoms and some domains of SF-36: pain (r=-0,6), social aspects (r=-0,6) and mental health (r=-0,5). Almost every aspect of SF-36 was correlated with the OPAQ Symptoms. By factor analysis of OPAQ it was observed that the 18 components of OPAQ represented 63% of factor load, and they explained the total account of osteoporosis's impact in the quality of life and were grouped in five factors: factor 1 (mobility, self-care, independence and household tasks), factor 2 (flexibility, transfers and sleep), factor 3 (backache, pain related to osteoporosis, fatigue and mood), factor 4 (fear...

Objetivos. Verificar o efeito do tratamento hidroterapêutico na funcionalidade e tono de crianças com tetraparesia espástica. Métodos. Foram incluídas seis crianças com tetraparesia espásti­ca e idade entre 2 e 6 anos, e realizada a avaliação do tono pela escala de Ashworth Modificada e da funcionalidade pela aplica­ção do Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI). Os pacientes foram submetidos a 20 sessões de tratamento hidro­terapêutico, entre fevereiro e junho de 2006, e após estes foram reavaliados pelos mesmos procedimentos. Para testar a signifi­cância antes e após o tratamento foi utilizado o teste não para­métrico de Wilcoxon. Resultados. Não houve diferença dos va­lores na avaliação do tono pela Escala de Ashworth Modificada antes e após o tratamento hidroterapêutico. Na avaliação através da aplicação do PEDI, ao serem analisados os valores do escore bruto nas três áreas de função, verificou-se diferença estatistica­mente significante após o tratamento. Conclusão. Os resultados mostram que a hidroterapia, como tratamento, promove melho­ra funcional significativa para pacientes com paralisia cerebral e tetraparéticas espásticas na faixa etária estudada.

Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disease affecting the salivary and lacrimal glands. Symptoms range from dryness to severe extra-glandular disease involving manifestations in the skin, lungs, nervous system, and kidney. Fatigue occurs in 70% of patients, characterizing primary SS (pSS) and significantly impacting the patient’s quality of life. There are some generic and specific instruments used to measure fatigue in SS. The mechanisms involved with fatigue in SS are still poorly understood, but it appears fatigue signaling pathways are more associated with cell protection and defense than with pro-inflammatory pathways. There are no established pharmacological treatment options for fatigue in pSS. So far, exercise and neuromodulation techniques have shown positive effects on fatigue in pSS. This study briefly reviews fatigue in pSS, with special attention to outcome measures, biomarkers, and possible treatment options.

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