A prospective and retrospective cohort on the predictability of the six minute walk distance in the survival of COPD patients at the Philippine Heart Center.

Background: The six minute walk test is a practically simple test that provides an objective assessment of th individual's functional capacity. This study aimed to determine its value as a predictor of survival. The study included 271 patients enrolled at the pulmonary rehabilitation program of the Philippine Heart Center, from January 1991 to December 2005. The six minute walk test was done prior to pulmonary rehabilitation following the American Thoracic Society Statement: Guidelines for the six minute walk test (March 2002). On follow up, 157 patients survived, 108 patients died, while no information was available for 6 patients. An inverse relationship was noted between distance walked and survival. A shorter than 300m distance walked had a sensitivity of 59.26%, specificity of 63.06%, positive predictive value of 52.46% and a negative predictive value of 69.23%. Other variables associated with a decreased survival were a lower body mass index (BMI), lower FEV1 and lower FEV1/FVC ratio.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the six minute walk test was able to predict survival among COPD patients. A distance shorter than 300 meters was associated with a higher mortality.