title: [Predictors of changes in functional capacity on a cardiac rehabilitation program].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The effectiveness of cardiac rehabilitation programs (CRP) strongly influences the recovery of functional capacity (FC), resulting in improved prognosis and survival.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the cardiovascular risk factors that predict changes in FC in patients on CRP.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a cross-sectional descriptive retrospective study of patients who began a CRP between January 2008 and December 2013. The dependent variable was changes in FC estimated in metabolic equivalents (METs) achieved in stress testing at the beginning and end of the phase II program. The independent variables were age, gender, dyslipidemia, diabetes, smoking, body mass index, physical activity level and reason for referral to the CRP.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The sample included 1399 patients, of whom 1125 (80.4%) completed the program. FC improved in most patients (93%), with a mean gain of 1.45 ± 1.19 METs. Patients aged 45 -65 and over 65 years achieved a greater increase in FC compared with other age groups. Patients admitted to the CRP after coronary artery bypass graft surgery obtained a greater improvement in FC compared to patients with acute coronary syndrome. Non-diabetic patients benefited more than diabetic patients. No significant differences were seen between the groups in the other variables.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study highlights the need for new and individualized approaches in certain subgroups of patients on CRP.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Carlos Fernando Baltazar
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Branco
authors.affiliation: Unidade de Prevenção e Reabilitação Cardiovascular, Centro Hospitalar do Porto, Porto, Portugal. Electronic address: sofiaviamonte@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Sofia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Viamonte
authors.affiliation: Unidade de Prevenção e Reabilitação Cardiovascular, Centro Hospitalar do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Matos
authors.affiliation: Unidade de Prevenção e Reabilitação Cardiovascular, Centro Hospitalar do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Magalhães
authors.affiliation: Unidade de Prevenção e Reabilitação Cardiovascular, Centro Hospitalar do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Inês
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Cunha
authors.affiliation: Unidade de Prevenção e Reabilitação Cardiovascular, Centro Hospitalar do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barreira
authors.affiliation: Unidade de Prevenção e Reabilitação Cardiovascular, Centro Hospitalar do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Preza
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fernandes
authors.affiliation: Unidade de Prevenção e Reabilitação Cardiovascular, Centro Hospitalar do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Severo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Torres
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000072038:Cardiac Rehabilitation; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Capacidade funcional; Cardiac rehabilitation; Cardiovascular risk factors; Fatores de risco cardiovasculares; Functional capacity; Reabilitação cardíaca