Comparison of six minute walk distance and reaction time between anemic COPD and non-anemic COPD

Abstract

       Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a systemic disease that affects the breathing mechanism and decreases the functional capacity in anemic COPD patients. The aim of this study was to compare six minute walk distance (6 MWD) and reaction time between anemic and non-anemic COPD patients. 16 patients with anemic COPD, and 16 non-anemic COPD patients were included in the study. The average hemoglobin levels of the male were 12.10±0.57 and 14.70±0.96 g/dL in anemic and non-anemic COPD patients, respectively. The average hemoglobin level of females were 11.60±0.57 and 13.90±0.63 g/dL in anemic and non-anemic COPD patients, respectively. The result showed that the 6 MWD in anemic COPD had significant shorter distances than non-anemic COPD (p<0.05). Reaction time had not significant difference between non-anemic COPD patients and anemic COPD patients. This study suggests that anemic COPD patients have decreased ability to exercise in comparison to non-anemic COPD patients.