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. 2013 Dec;11(4):495-9.
doi: 10.1590/s1679-45082013000400016.

Comparison between subjective and objective methods to assess functional capacity during clinical treatment in patients with intermittent claudication

[Article in English, Portuguese]
Gabriel Grizzo Cucato, Antônio Eduardo Zerati, Marcel da Rocha Chehuen, Raphael Mendes Ritti-Dias, Glauco Saez, Luciana Ragazzo, Pedro Puech-Leão, Nelson Wolosker

Comparison between subjective and objective methods to assess functional capacity during clinical treatment in patients with intermittent claudication

[Article in English, Portuguese]
Gabriel Grizzo Cucato et al. Einstein (Sao Paulo). 2013 Dec.

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

Objective: To analyze if there is any relation between functional capacity assessed by subjective and objective methods regarding the current state and after clinical treatment in patients with intermittent claudication.

Methods: A total of 500 patients with intermittent claudication were enrolled. All patients underwent clinical examination and a functional evaluation by subjective (clinical visit) and objective method (treadmill test). Additionally, 50 patients were selected to evaluate the effect of clinical treatment by subjective and objective methods in relation to functional capacity.

Results: Out of 500 patients, only 60 (12.0%) had similar results in both methods. The remaining, that is 440 patients (88.0%) had subject values in disagreement with stress test findings. Regarding the clinical effect of the treatment on the functional outcomes, results were similar in both methods (χ²=1.7; p=0.427).

Conclusion: Although the subjective method overestimates the functional capacity when compared to the objective method, no significant differences were observed between both methods when analyzing the effect of clinical treatment. Thus, the subjective method provides similar information as compared with objective method, in monitoring the clinical treatment of patients with intermittent claudication.

Objetivo: Verificar se há relação entre a medida da capacidade funcional avaliada subjetiva e objetivamente em relação ao estado atual e após tratamento clínico em pacientes com claudicação intermitente.

Métodos: Foram recrutados 500 pacientes com claudicação intermitente. Todos realizaram exame clínico e foram submetidos a uma avaliação funcional por meio do método subjetivo (consulta clínica) e objetivo (teste de esteira). Adicionalmente, 50 pacientes foram selecionados para se avaliar o efeito do tratamento clínico, pelos métodos subjetivo e objetivo, em relação à capacidade funcional.

Resultados: Dos 500 pacientes selecionados, somente 60 (12,0%) apresentaram valores referidos e observados similares. Os demais pacientes, ou seja, 440 (88,0%) apresentaram valores relatados discordantes em relação àqueles obtidos no teste de esforço. Com relação ao efeito do tratamento clínico em relação à capacidade funcional, os resultados foram similares entre ambos os métodos (χ2=1,7; p=0,427).

Conclusão: Apesar de o método subjetivo superestimar os valores de capacidade funcional, quando comparados ao método objetivo, não foram observadas diferenças significantes entre ambos os métodos, quando se analisou o efeito do tratamento clínico. Assim, o método subjetivo fornece informações similares em comparação à medida objetiva no acompanhamento do tratamento clínico de pacientes com claudicação intermitente.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest: none.

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