The 6-minute walk test predicts clinical outcome in Asian patients with chronic congestive heart failure on contemporary medical therapy: a study of the multiracial population in Singapore.
BACKGROUND
We sought the value of the 6-min walk test (6MWT) in predicting morbidity and mortality in Asian patients with congestive heart failure (CHF).


METHODS
668 patients (Age 66+/-12 years, Ejection fraction 29+/-13%, NYHA I to IV) were prospectively followed up for 36+/-12 months. 386 patients (58%) took the 6MWT. Cardiac events, defined as the composite end-point of death or CHF readmission were documented.


RESULTS
188 patients (28%) reached the composite end-point (63 deaths, 125 readmissions). 6MWT distance was an independent predictor of cardiac events (quartile 1 vs quartile 4)(p=0.041), as were beta-blocker or spironolactone use (p=0.008 for both), diabetes (p=0.042), monthly income less than SGD$1000 (p=0.030), and NYHA class (class III vs class I)(p=0.003). A 6MWT distance <340 m predicted occurrence of cardiac events with a sensitivity of 69% and specificity of 48%.


CONCLUSIONS
The 6MWT is a safe and simple clinical tool, which could predict both morbidity and mortality in a large population of Asian patients with CHF of differing etiology and severity (169 words).
Lee
Raymond
R
Department of Cardiology, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, 11 Jalan Tan Tock Seng, Singapore 308433. choodeepheng@yahoo.com
Chan
Yiong-Huak
YH
Wong
Jennifer
J
Lau
Diana
D
Ng
Kenneth
K
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004452:Echocardiography; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012372:ROC Curve; D012307:Risk Factors; D012846:Singapore; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*