title: [Determining factors of walking distance during 6-minutes walk test in COPD patients].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In stable COPD, we studied the factors determining six-minute walking distance and dyspnea at the end of the test.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were evaluated by tests of lung function, St Georges' respiratory questionnaire (SGRQ) and 6MWT with inspiratory capacity measurements (IC) and continuous oxymetry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighty-two patients (mean FEV(1): 56+19% predicted) were studied. Mean 6-minute walking distance was 477+89m, (72+14% PV). Walking distance during 6MWT (m) was correlated with FEV(1), IC/TLC ratio, TLC, pre-test IC and DLco/VA. When expressed as a percent of predicted values, walking distance was correlated with FRC, pre-test IC and SGRQ activity score. End-test dyspnea was correlated with FRC, pre-test dyspnea and SGRQ activity and total scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The factors determining 6-minute walking distance and end-test dyspnea are complex and include both functional and non-functional factors. In COPD, 6MWT is thus an investigation that has additional integrative value.
authors.affiliation: Service de pneumologie, centre hospitalier universitaire Saint-Pierre, rue Haute 322, Brussels, Belgium. Marie_Bruyneel@stpierre-bru.be
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bruyneel
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Jacob
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sanida
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ferrali
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ameye
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ninane
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sergysels
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005080:Exercise Test; D017079:Exercise Tolerance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D001239:Inhalation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010092:Oximetry; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016138:Walking