Objective: To compare the occurrence of vocal signs and symptoms before, during, and after coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and analyze possible risk factors for the persistence of these signs and symptoms after disease resolution. Method: This was an observational, analytical, and cross-sectional study. The participants were 45 individuals of both sexes, with a mean age of 44 years, who were previously affected by COVID-19. All participants answered a questionnaire about sociodemographic data, smoking history, disease course, vocal complaints, and the vocal signs and symptoms list (SSL), referring to three timepoints (before, during, and after COVID-19). Results: The most commonly reported vocal signs and symptoms before COVID-19 were phlegm (26.67%; n=12) and dry throat (24.44%; n=11). During COVID-19, the most frequent vocal signs and symptoms were tired voice after short-term use (73.33%; n=33) and dry throat (71.11%; n=32). After the disease, the most reported vocal signs and symptoms were dry throat (57.78%; n=26) and phlegm (53.33; n=24). The self-perception of vocal signs and symptoms before COVID-19 was lower than that during and after COVID-19 (p<0.001). Vocal complaints after COVID-19 and oxygen therapy were predictors of self-perception of vocal signs and symptoms after COVID-19. Conclusion: Individuals affected by COVID-19 had a higher frequency of vocal signs and symptoms during the disease. However, after remission, the frequency of vocal signs and symptoms was higher than that at baseline. The need for oxygen therapy may indicate a risk for a higher occurrence of vocal signs and symptoms after COVID-19.

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Introduction: The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) considers multiples aspects of functionality. It is believed that this tool can help to classify the functionality of older adults with low back pain (LBP). Objectives: To describe the functionality of active older adults with LBP according to the ICF. Methods: A transversal study was conducted using the brief ICF core set for low back pain, to establish functional profiles of 40 older adults. The ICF categories were considered valid when ≥20% of participants showed some disability. Results: Thirty-two of the 35 categories of the brief ICF core set could be considered representative of the sample. Conclusion: The brief ICF core set for LBP results demonstrated that this classification system is representative for describing the functional profile of the sample.

Introduction: Oncological patients who are submitted to surgical procedures might have postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs). Thus, preoperative physical conditions must be considered, since it is an important predictor of postoperative development. Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze the risk factors for postoperative pulmonary complications that might compromise the recovery after oncologic surgery. Method: The present observational transversal study was made between March and October of 2015. Patients diagnosed with cancer were analyzed to determine pulmonary and functional condition and to identify the risk factors for the development of PPCs. The post-surgery recovery was followed through medical records. Data collected from patients’ analyses was correlated with post-surgery development. Results: Thirty patients were analyzed. A negative and moderate correlation was found between maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and PPCs (r=-0.39; p=0.032). A positive correlation between the time of permanence in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and hospitalization days (r=0.40; p=0.02) was observed. Correlations between PPCs and mechanical ventilation (r=0.36; p=0.04) and hospitalization days (r=0.40; p=0.02) were also noticed in the present study. Conclusion: PPCs might prejudice post-surgery outcome. The greater are physical condition and pulmonary functions of the patients before surgery, the better is their recovery.

and age. We included 105 patients in the research, being 44