TY - JOUR T1 - Using the six-minute walk test to assess exercise capacity in people with pulmonary hypertension JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J VL - 40 IS - Suppl 56 SP - P4160 AU - Lissa Spencer AU - Bill Zafiropoulos AU - Jennifer Alison Y1 - 2012/09/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/P4160.abstract N2 - Introduction: The aim of the study was to determine if there was a difference in six-minute walk distance (6MWD) when two six-minute walk tests (6MWTs) were performed in people with pulmonary hypertension (PH) prior to attendance at the PH clinic.Methods: Participants with PH performed two 6MWTs for the first time prior to attendance at the PH Clinic. The tests were performed on a 32 metre continuous track in an outpatient hospital setting using standard instructions and encouragement.Results: 212 participants completed two 6MWTs [mean (SD) age 57 (16) years; BMI 27 (6) kg/m2]. Using the better 6MWT the mean distance was 438 (139) metres and 6MWT % predicted was 87% (24). There was a significant increase in 6MWD on the second 6MWT [mean difference (95% CI) 16 m (9 to 23), p<0.0001] with 66% of participants walking further on the second walk than the first walk. There were no adverse events during testing.Conclusion: In people with PH, when a second 6MWT was performed the increase in walk distance was significant but small. This may indicate that one test at baseline may be adequate. ER -