The Six-minute Step Test Can Predict COPD Exacerbations: a 36-month Follow-up Study

Overview

Journal Sci Rep

Specialty Science

Date 2024 Feb 13

PMID 38351306

Authors

Aldair Darlan Santos-de-Araujo

Cassia da Luz Goulart

Renan Shida Marinho

Izadora Moraes Dourado

Renata Goncalves Mendes

Meliza Goi Roscani

Daniela Bassi-Dibai

Shane A Phillips

Ross Arena

Audrey Borghi-Silva

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The six-minute step test (6MST) has been shown to be effective in assessing exercise capacity in individuals with COPD regardless of severity and, despite its easy execution, accessibility and validity, information on the prognostic power of this test remains uncertain. The aim of this study is to investigate whether the 6MST can predict the occurrence of exacerbations in patients with COPD. This is a prospective cohort study with a 36-month follow-up in patients with COPD. All patients completed a clinical assessment, followed by pulmonary function testing and a 6MST. The 6MST was performed on a 20 cm high step; heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, BORG dyspnea and fatigue were collected. Sixty-four patients were included in the study, the majority being elderly men. Performance on the 6MST demonstrated lower performance compared to normative values proposed in the literature, indicating a reduced functional capacity. Kaplan Meier analysis revealed that ≤ 59 steps climbed during the 6MST was a strong predictor of COPD exacerbation over a 36-month follow-up. We have identified a minimal threshold number of steps (≤ 59) obtained through the 6MST may be able predict the risk of exacerbations in patients with COPD.

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