The clinical utility of a six-minute walk test in peripheral arterial occlusive disease patients.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the test-retest reliability of the distance covered and the steps taken to complete a 6-minute walk test by peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) patients with intermittent claudication. To determine the relationship between the total distance and steps covered during the 6-minute walk test and clinical measures of PAOD severity.


METHODS
Cross-sectional design.


METHODS
The Claude Pepper Older Americans Independence Center at the University of Maryland at Baltimore.


METHODS
Sixty-four PAOD patients between the ages of 45 and 88 years (age = 68 +/- 7 years, ankle/brachial index (ABI) = .61 +/- .19) were recruited from the Vascular Clinic at the Baltimore Veterans Affairs Medical Center and from radio and newspaper advertisements.


METHODS
Patients were assessed on a 6-minute walk test and a treadmill graded exercise test. A second 6-minute walk test was administered approximately 1 week later. Patients also were characterized in regard to blood pressure in the arms and legs, ABI, anthropometry, body composition, and physical activity.


RESULTS
The distances walked during the two 6-minute walk tests were similar (350 +/- 78 m vs 360 +/- 73 m), resulting in a high reliability coefficient (R = .94) and a low coefficient of variation (10.4%). The total steps taken during the 6-minute walk test also were similar (562 +/- 113 steps vs 587 +/- 107 steps), resulting in a high reliability coefficient (R = .90) and a low coefficient of variation (11.7%). Furthermore, the 6-minute walking distance correlated with the distances to onset (r = .346, P = .007) and with maximal claudication pain (r = .525, P < .001) during the treadmill test as well as with ABI (r = .552, P < .001).


CONCLUSIONS
The 6-minute walk test yields highly reliable measurements, which are related to the functional and hemodynamic severity of PAOD, in patients with intermittent claudication.
Montgomery
P S
PS
Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA.
Gardner
A W
AW
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007383:Intermittent Claudication / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D007511:Ischemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology