Functional capacity assessment and quality of life in patients with myelopathy assosciated to the HTLV-1

Abstract

The human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I-associated myelopathy (HAM/TSP) is caused by HTLV-1 infection. It is endemic in Africa, Latin America and Japan. Spastic paraparesis usually associated with sphincters' disturbances represents the predominant clinical finding. Functional impairment compromises the patient's quality of life. Assessment measures for activities of daily life and disabilities are important in sense of to define specific and effective goals for interventions.Objective: To assess functional capacity of patients with HAM/TSP; to describe the functional capacity using the Functional Independence Measure (FIM); to demonstrate