Use of peak oxygen consumption in predicting physical function and quality of life in COPD patients.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether peak oxygen consumption (Vo(2)peak) adds to the power of FEV(1) in predicting physical function and quality of life in COPD patients.


METHODS
Single-center cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Subjects included 291 COPD patients who completed pulmonary function testing, a graded exercise test, a 6-min walk, and stair climb test to assess physical function; a questionnaire assessing self-reported physical function; and a disease-specific, health-related quality-of-life questionnaire. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was used to determine the contribution of Vo(2)peak in predicting physical function and quality of life after accounting for FEV(1).


RESULTS
After accounting for FEV(1), Vo(2)peak added significantly to the prediction of 6-min walk distance (R(2) increased by 0.395 [p < 0.005]); stair climb time (R(2) increased by 0.262 [p < 0.005]); self-reported function (R(2) increased by 0.109 [p < 0.005]); and health-related quality-of-life domain of mastery (R(2) increased by 0.044 [p < 0.005]). Only Vo(2)peak was found to significantly predict the health-related quality-of-life domain of fatigue (R(2) = 0.094 [p < 0.005]).


CONCLUSIONS
After controlling for FEV(1), Vo(2)peak adds significantly to the prediction of physical function and health-related quality-of-life domain of mastery in COPD patients. These results provide additional support for the use of Vo(2)peak in the multidimensional assessment of COPD patients.
Berry
Michael J
MJ
Department of Health and Exercise Science, PO Box 7868, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC 27109-7868, USA. berry@wfu.edu
Adair
Norman E
NE
Rejeski
W Jack
WJ
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011788:Quality of Life