Association of body posture and balance with pulmonary function and functional capacity in adult patients with cystic fibrosis

Abstract

Introduction: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited condition with highest prevalence among Caucasians. The main manifestations appear in the respiratory digestive tract and can occur during any time of life for these patients. Currently the early diagnosis, multidisciplinary management in specialised centers, and access to appropriate therapy have contributed to about half of patients surviving to the third decade of life. Although the CF is well studied in pathophysiological and pharmacokinetic, little is known about changes in body posture and balance. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association among body posture and balance with pulmonary function and functional capacity in adult patients with CF. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on fourteen patients with CF. Subjects underwent pulmonary function tests, 6-min walking test, BBS, stabilometric tests, nutritional assessment, and analysis of posture. All patients completed the CFQ-R. Results: Most patients were male (57%), and the median age of the patients was 25.4 years (range: 20–34 years). The maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) correlated inversely with lateral standard deviation determined by stabilometry ( = -0.61, p < 0.05) as the DLco correlated positively with anterior-posterior range ( = 0.54, p < 0.05). There were significant correlations between body mass index and almost all stabilometric variables measured. The forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), the 6-min walking distance, total lung capacity (TLC), and airway resistance (Rwa) were significantly correlated with the vertical alignment of the trunk ( = -0.57,  = -0.65,  = 0.54, and  = 0.67, respectively). The ‘physical’ domain of the CFQ-R was significantly correlated with the vertical alignment of the trunk ( = -0.74), and the ‘limitations’ domain of the CFQ-R was significantly correlated with the angle of the hip ( = -0.55). Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that MIP, DLco and nutritional status are associated to the postural balance in adult CF patients. The abnormalities in pulmonary function and functional capacity are associated with postural changes in these patients; however, the severity of the postural abnormalities does not negatively influence the CFQ-R domains.