Affiliations: [a] Rehabilitation Sciences, Augusto Motta University Center (UNISUAM), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | [b] Neuroendocrinology Research Centre/Endocrinology Section, Medical School and Clementino Fraga Filho University Hospital, Federal University of the Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | [c] Neuroendocrine Unit, Paulo Niemeyer State Brain Institute, Secretary of State for Health of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | [d] School of Medical Sciences, State University of Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Agnaldo José Lopes, Rehabilitation Sciences Post-graduate Programme, Augusto Motta University Centre (UNISUAM), Rua Dona Isabel, 94, Bonsucesso, 21032-060, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Tel./Fax: +55 2121 2576 2030; E-mail: agnaldolopes.uerj@gmail.com.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal disorders in acromegaly compromise upper and lower limb activity. Corresponding changes can be better assessed by a functional capacity test incorporating multitasking, such as the Glittre Activities of Daily Living Test (GA-T). OBJECTIVES: To evaluate functional capacity in adults with acromegaly using the GA-T and to correlate functional capacity with hand function and health-related quality of life. METHODS: The GA-T was applied to 36 patients with acromegaly and an equal number of healthy individuals. Additionally, participants completed the Acromegaly Quality of Life (AcroQoL) questionnaire and underwent a chronic pain assessment using a map of the human body, a hand function evaluation using the Cochin Hand Functional Scale (CHFS), and a handgrip strength test. RESULTS: Relative to the comparison group, patients with acromegaly required more time to perform the GA-T, showed worse hand function, and reported that squatting to accomplish shelving tasks was the major difficulty. GA-T time was correlated with the AcroQoL global score, handgrip strength, and the CHFS (rs=-0.487, p= 0.002; rs=-0.369, p= 0.026; rs= 0.538, p= 0.0007, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with acromegaly exhibited a reduced functional capacity as assessed by the GA-T. Additionally, an association was identified between the total GA-T time and both hand function and quality of life.
Keywords: Acromegaly, exercise, functional capacity, activity of daily living, quality of life
