PHYSICAL CONDITION AND LEVEL OF FUNCTIONING IN NON-ICU HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS AT THE NATIONAL UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL OF COLOMBIA

K.M. Alvis-Gómez^1,2, I.J. Guzman³, A.M. Andrade-Castro^4,1, W.F. Ortiz-Rojas^4,1, J.E. García-Vaca^4,1

¹Universidad Nacional de Colombia (National University of Colombia), Departamento del Movimiento Corporal Humano (Department of Human Body Movement), Bogotá, D.C., Colombia, ²Mechanics and Neuromechanics Movement Analysis Research Group, Department of Human Body Movement, National University of Colombia (Universidad Nacional de Colombia), Bogotá, D.C., Colombia, ³The National University Hospital of Colombia, Bogotá, D.C., Colombia, ⁴Master Sports and Physical Activity Physiotherapy Programme, Department of Human Body Moveme, Bogotá, D.C., Colombia

Background: The prolonged stay of patients in hospital services due to a pathological condition that leads them to a decrease in mobility produces deterioration in physical condition, susceptible to improvement by means of physical work (Leidys, 2012). Impaired fitness leads to Physical Deconditioning Syndrome (PDS) (Fazio, 2020). The PDS not only produces a decrease in physical capacity and human functioning but also generates cost overruns in health services due to the treatments and supplies needed for their care (Ceballos-Acevedo, 2014), just as it leads to patients who have a long hospital stay not only lowering their quality of life but also being exposed to subsequent health complications related to this deconditioning condition. (Villamil Parra et al., 2020).

Purpose: Characterize the physical condition of non-ICU hospitalized patients of the National University Hospital of Colombia (HUN).

Methods: A correlational cross-sectional descriptive study of the physical condition of non-ICU hospitalized patients, with the level of functioning, length of hospital stay, use or not of mechanical ventilation, gender, and age, as well as the reason for hospitalization. The sample was composed of 235 patients (95% confidence-5% error) chosen for convenience. To determine the physical condition, the following tests were used: 6-minute walk test, 2-minute walk test, Queens College Test, or the lower limb cycle ergometer test, for aerobic condition, which will be selected according to the baseline condition of the patient; hand dynamometry for force determination; the Time Up and Go Test (TUG) for fall risk; the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) or the CIF-WODAS for the level of functioning; Flexitest for flexibility. The data were presented in tables and graphs according to the variables involved, for the statistical analysis the variables were explored through a multiple regression model, with an analysis of correlations with the Pearson coefficient, and the data were collected in Microsoft Excel 2019 ® and were analyzed using SPSS Statistics software. For the protection of the information obtained, the RedCap platform was used.

Results: A statistically positive correlation was found between the level of physical deconditioning of in-patients with the length of hospital stay, the use of mechanical ventilation, as well as the risk of falling. A statistically significant inverse relationship was found between the level of Deconditioning and the level of functioning of inpatients. There is no evidence of statistically significant relationships with the other groups of variables.

Conclusions: The PDS is a factor that must be controlled in in-patients, since it increases the risk of falling, decreases the level of functioning, and increases the days of hospital stay and the rate of bed rotation, which implies a clear increased care costs and greater risks in health and well-being for patients Physiotherapy as a profession that is responsible for the physical condition in health, is a strategic response to reduce the negative effects of deconditioning processes.

Implications: The study gives evidence of the effects of PDS on in-patients of HUN and the relevance of the conditioning process in diminishing the risk factors in this population.

Funding acknowledgements: Universidad Nacional de Colombia (National University of Colombia) and National University Hospital of Colombia

Keywords:
Physical Deconditioning Syndrome
Inpatient
Physiotherapy

Topics:
Health promotion & wellbeing/healthy ageing/physical activity
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) & risk factors
Professional practice: other

Did this work require ethics approval? Yes

Institution: NATIONAL UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL OF COLOMBIA

Committee: Ethics Committee National University Hospital of Colombia

Ethics number: CEI-HUN-ACTA-2021-05