Atsuhito Ushiki1, Shuhei Nozawa2, Masanori Yasuo3, Kazuhisa Urushihata4, Hiroshi Yamamoto5, Masayuki Hanaoka6, Keisaku Fujimoto7. 1. First Department of Internal Medicine, Shinshu University School of Medicine, 3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-8621 Japan. Electronic address: atsuhito@shinshu-u.ac.jp. 2. First Department of Internal Medicine, Shinshu University School of Medicine, 3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-8621 Japan. Electronic address: shuhei@shinshu-u.ac.jp. 3. First Department of Internal Medicine, Shinshu University School of Medicine, 3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-8621 Japan. Electronic address: yasumasa@shinshu-u.ac.jp. 4. First Department of Internal Medicine, Shinshu University School of Medicine, 3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-8621 Japan. Electronic address: ichiju@shinshu-u.ac.jp. 5. First Department of Internal Medicine, Shinshu University School of Medicine, 3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-8621 Japan. Electronic address: yama5252@shinshu-u.ac.jp. 6. First Department of Internal Medicine, Shinshu University School of Medicine, 3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-8621 Japan. Electronic address: masayuki@shinshu-u.ac.jp. 7. Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Shinshu University School of Health Sciences, 3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-8621, Japan. Electronic address: keisaku@shinshu-u.ac.jp.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Field walk tests such as the incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT) are simple tests for assessing the degree of disability in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In the present study, the correlations between exercise performance in the ISWT, lung function, and health status were examined in patients with COPD of varying severities. METHODS: A retrospective examination of 277 COPD patients was performed using the ISWT and lung function tests along with assessment of health status using St. George׳s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). In addition, we assessed the correlations between the walking distance, lung function parameters, and SGRQ scores. RESULTS: ISWT distances were poorly correlated with lung function parameters and SGRQ scores in mild COPD patients. In contrast, ISWT distances were significantly correlated with pulmonary function parameters, such as vital capacity (%predicted) and forced expiratory volume in one second, and SGRQ scores in moderate and severe COPD patients. CONCLUSIONS: The ISWT is more independent of health status and pulmonary function in patients with mild COPD compared to moderate or severe cases. Therefore, the exercise capacity of patients with mild COPD should be estimated by the ISWT.
BACKGROUND: Field walk tests such as the incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT) are simple tests for assessing the degree of disability in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In the present study, the correlations between exercise performance in the ISWT, lung function, and health status were examined in patients with COPD of varying severities. METHODS: A retrospective examination of 277 COPDpatients was performed using the ISWT and lung function tests along with assessment of health status using St. George׳s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). In addition, we assessed the correlations between the walking distance, lung function parameters, and SGRQ scores. RESULTS: ISWT distances were poorly correlated with lung function parameters and SGRQ scores in mild COPDpatients. In contrast, ISWT distances were significantly correlated with pulmonary function parameters, such as vital capacity (%predicted) and forced expiratory volume in one second, and SGRQ scores in moderate and severe COPDpatients. CONCLUSIONS: The ISWT is more independent of health status and pulmonary function in patients with mild COPD compared to moderate or severe cases. Therefore, the exercise capacity of patients with mild COPD should be estimated by the ISWT.