The correlation between pulmonary function and six minute walk distance in male patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a respiratory disease, which limits airflow. Consequently, it decreases pulmonary function leading to dyspnea in performing daily physical activities due to reduction in exercise tolerance, mental health and quality of life.

Objective: To evaluate the association of pulmonary function and six-minute-walk test in stable male COPD patients in different severities.

Materials and methods: One hundred and sixty stable COPD patients with different severities were divided into four groups (n=40) according to the severity. All subjects were measured pulmonary function test and six-minute-walk test used FEV₁, FVC, FEV₁/FVC and six-minute-walk distance to find a relationship between the pulmonary function, six-minute-walk distance and severities.

Results: There were very low correlation between FEV₁, FVC, FEV₁/FVC and six-minute-walk distance in mild and moderate COPD patients. In severe COPD were found a positive statistical low significant correlation between FEV₁, FVC, FEV₁/FVC and six-minute-walk distance.

Conclusions: The correlation between pulmonary function and six-minute-walk distance in male stable COPD in each severity were low. It is not possible to indicate that patient with more severe levels will be able to walk at less distance than those who have less severity.