Six-minute walk test in managing and monitoring sarcoidosis patients.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the value and limitations of using the 6-min test in assessing patients with sarcoidosis.


RESULTS
Static lung function studies and chest roentgenogram do not correlate well with the symptoms of sarcoidosis patients. In particular, dyspnea is a common complaint of sarcoidosis patients, which may be due to multiple factors including lung function, muscle strength, cardiac disease, and fatigue as a result of the disease. The 6-min walk distance has been the focus of studies in other interstitial lung diseases. Its use and limitations in sarcoidosis are described.


CONCLUSIONS
The 6-min walk distance can be a useful test in assessing sarcoidosis patients. Reduction of 6-min walk distance, however, can be due to multiple factors.
Baughman
Robert P
RP
University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. bob.baughman@uc.edu
Lower
Elyse E
EE
D004417:Dyspnea / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D011379:Prognosis; D017565:Sarcoidosis, Pulmonary / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013997:Time Factors; D015599:Trauma Severity Indices; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*