PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Meys, Roy
AU  - Janssen, Steffi
AU  - Franssen, Frits
AU  - Vaes, Anouk
AU  - Stoffels, Anouk
AU  - Van Hees, Hieronymus
AU  - Van Den Borst, Bram
AU  - Klijn, Peter
AU  - Burtin, Chris
AU  - Van 'T Hul, Alex
AU  - Spruit, Martijn
TI  - Reliability, construct validity and determinants of 6-minute walk distance in patients with asthma
AID  - 10.1183/13993003.congress-2021.PA313
DP  - 2021 Sep 05
TA  - European Respiratory Journal
PG  - PA313
VI  - 58
IP  - suppl 65
4099  - https://publications.ersnet.org//content/58/suppl_65/PA313.short
4100  - https://publications.ersnet.org//content/58/suppl_65/PA313.full
SO  - Eur Respir J2021 Sep 05; 58
AB  - Background: Despite the fact that the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) can provide insights in functional limitation in chronic respiratory disease, current knowledge regarding its measurement properties in patients with asthma is limited.Aim: To assess the reliability, construct validity and determinants of 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) in patients with asthma.Methods: 671 patients referred for pulmonary rehabilitation assessment, were retrospectively analyzed (age 58±13 years, 41% male, FEV1 75±24% pred). Participants performed two 6MWTs on subsequent days. Other measurements included demographics, dyspnea (rest), maximal exercise capacity (CPET), body composition, pulmonary function, quadriceps muscle strength and symptoms of anxiety and depression.Results: Mean 6MWD was 419m (95%CI 409-428m) and 440m (95%CI 430-451m), respectively (mean change: 22m (95%CI 18-25m) or 5.2%; p<0.001) with a corresponding ICC of 0.92 (p<0.001). 513 patients (77%) walked further in the second 6MWT. The best 6MWD strongly correlated with dyspnea severity and peak exercise capacity (r=-0.62 and 0.62, respectively; p<0.001) and had very weak-moderate correlations with body composition, pulmonary function, quadriceps strength and symptoms of anxiety and depression (r=0.14-0.43). Maximal power output (CPET), dyspnea severity, BMI, quadriceps muscle strength, FEV1, DLCO and maximal expiratory pressure were independent significant predictors of the best 6MWD (58% of the variability).Conclusion: 6MWT was found to be reliable and valid in patients with asthma, which strengthens its clinical utility in asthma. However, the majority of patients improved significantly in the second 6MWT by an average learning effect of 22m.FootnotesCite this article as: European Respiratory Journal 2021; 58: Suppl. 65, PA313.This abstract was presented at the 2021 ERS International Congress, in session “Prediction of exacerbations in patients with COPD”.This is an ERS International Congress abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only).