Abstract
The six-minute walk test (6MWT) is frequently used as an exercise capacity measure in respiratory patients. The available reference equations are not suitable for the interpretation of the test in Spanish population. The aim of this study was to develop reference equations to predict the total distance walked (6MWD) in the 6MWT in 45-85 years healthy population from different geographic areas of Spain.
Cross-sectional multicenter study carried out in 17 Spanish hospitals and universities. Sociodemographic, toxic habits, regular medication, medical history, anthropometric, regular physical activity, and exercise capacity data were collected.
573 healthy subjects (48% male) were assessed, mean(SD) age 62(11) years, height 164(10) cm, weight 74(13) kg and body mass index (BMI) 27(4) kg/m2, distributed: Andalucia 8% of subjects, Aragon 5%, Asturias 6%, Catalunya 34%, Galicia 8%, Illes Balears 10%, Islas Canarias 4%, Madrid 18% and Murcia 7%. The 6MWD (best of two tests) was mean(SD) 616(111) and 556(94) meters for men and women, respectively. The derived reference equations were: for men, 6MWD=478-(5.51xage)+(4.15xheightcm)-(1.78xweightkg)-(1.18xHRbaseline*)+84, and for women, 6MWD=1107-(5.78xage)-(1.48xweightkg)-(1.27xHRbaseline*)+67. The resulting reference equations explained 42% and 50% of the variance in the 6MWD in healthy men and women, respectively. *HRbaseline: baseline heart rate.
The variability in the 6MWD can be explained from age, height, weight and baseline heart rate in men; and age, weight and baseline heart rate in women. The equations derived are applicable to Spanish population to predict 6MWD. Next steps will be their validation in subjects with similar characteristics but with respiratory disease.
- Copyright ©ERS 2015
