Prognostic value of six minute walk test in cystic fibrosis adults

Respir Med. 2013 Dec;107(12):1881-7. doi: 10.1016/j.rmed.2013.10.001. Epub 2013 Oct 11.

Abstract

Background: The 6 min walk test (6MWT) provides prognostic information in various respiratory diseases, but limited data exist in cystic fibrosis (CF) adults.

Methods: Consecutive CF adults who performed 6MWT at Cochin Hospital (Paris, France) over 12 years were analyzed. The cut-off 6 min walking distance (6MWD) value that best predicted a combined endpoint (death without transplant or lung transplant) was established using a receiver operating curve. Determinants of low 6MWD or of desaturation (SpO2 ≤ 90%) during 6MWT were examined using multivariate logistic regressions. Prognostic value of these variables was assessed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox analyses.

Results: 6MWT was performed in 286 CF adults (median: age, 28 yr; FEV1, 45% predicted) of whom 14% (n = 40) had lung transplant and 6% (n = 18) died without transplant. 6MWD correlated with FEV1% predicted (r = 0.43; P < 0.001), but markedly differed in subjects within the same range of FEV1. A 6MWD ≤ 475 m predicted death or transplant and was mostly found in patients with FEV1 ≤ 60% predicted. Desaturation during the 6MWT occurred in 29% of patients, exclusively in subjects with FEV1 ≤ 60% predicted. Both 6MWD ≤ 475 m and desaturation during the 6MWT were independent predictors of death or transplant.

Conclusion: The 6MWT provides prognostic information in CF adults, especially in subjects with FEV1 ≤ 60% predicted.

Keywords: 6 min walk test; Adults; Cystic fibrosis; Prognosis.

Publication types

  • Observational Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cystic Fibrosis / blood
  • Cystic Fibrosis / mortality
  • Cystic Fibrosis / physiopathology*
  • Exercise Test / methods*
  • Female
  • Forced Expiratory Volume / physiology
  • Humans
  • Kaplan-Meier Estimate
  • Male
  • Oxygen / blood
  • Prognosis
  • ROC Curve
  • Walking / physiology

Substances

  • Oxygen