title: [Physiotherapy intervention promotes better quality of life for individuals with pemphigus].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pemphigus is an autoimmune disease characterized by bullae, in which its chronicity and clinical manifestations generate alterations in the quality of life. In Brazil, the disease prevails in the states of the Midwest and Southeast. The study aimed to evaluate the profile and quality of life of patients with pemphigus in a Brazilian city, for the purposes of physiotherapeutic intervention.
  
  
  METHODS
  The medical records of 15 institutionalized patients were analyzed, though only 7 volunteers underwent the initial and final interviews using the quality of life questionnaire SF-36. Between data collections, physical therapy exercises were applied over a four-month period. After this predetermined period the data were compared and analyzed quantitatively using the Med Calc E and the Student t test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 15 patients in treatment had a mean age of 40 years-old; 53.3% were melanoderm; 80% were men; 60% had contact with rural areas and 80% were from the southern region. The 7 patients who participated in the intervention showed a tendency for improvement in the areas assessed by the SF-36, except for vitality and social aspects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The profile of the population of this hospital is in agreement with the literature. According to the SF-36 collected before and after the physical therapy intervention, general improvement in the quality of life of these patients was verified. This research suggests that physiotherapeutic intervention promotes diverse benefits for patients with pemphigus.
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Fisiológicas, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG. rodolfo_pessa@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Rodolfo Pessato
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Timóteo
authors.forename: Lidiana Simões
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Marques
authors.forename: Dernival
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bertoncello
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010392:Pemphigus / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires