Frailty Syndrome, pulmonary and functional capacity in patients with HIV/AIDS

ABSTRACT This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of frailty syndrome and its relationship with lung function, functional capacity, and disease-related variables in HIV-infected patients. This is a cross-sectional and descriptive study, with quantitative data analysis. The sample consisted of individuals diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, without previous locomotion limitations. The frailty syndrome was evaluated by the frailty phenotype, punctuated in the following items: unintentional weight loss, fatigue, reduced gait speed, physical activity level, and hand grip strength. Pulmonary function and ventilatory muscle strength were assessed by spirometry and manovacuometry, while functional capacity was assessed by the six-minute walk test. Data analyses were performed with comparison tests, with a 5% significance level. All patients included in this study were scored on the frailty criterion. In total, 70% were fragile and 30% were classified as pre-fragile. There was a relation between impaired functional capacity, the prevalence of restrictive ventilatory disorder, and comorbidities in the fragile population when compared with the pre-fragile group. The findings of this study conclude that frailty syndrome affects the health of individuals with HIV/AIDS, with spirometry impairment, reduced functional capacity, and presence of comorbidities.