Cardiorespiratory Responses to Glittre ADL Test in Bronchiectasis: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background Bronchiectasis is a chronic respiratory condition characterised by chronic sputum production, fatigue, and dyspnoea. These symptoms will lead to reduced exercise capacity and a reduced ability to carry out activities of daily living. Glittre ADL test is a valid and reliable test which evaluates the activities of daily living. Aim To investigate whether the Glittre ADL test can differentiate the functional capacity and cardiorespiratory responses of patients with bronchiectasis from those healthy individuals using the six-minute test as a functional performance standard. Methods This study included 30 subjects: 15 bronchiectasis and 15 age- and gender-matched healthy subjects. The patients and healthy subjects were made to perform the Glittre ADL and six-minute test on two consecutive days. Parameters such as time taken, distance walked, HR, RR, SpO2, and dyspnoea were recorded before and after the tests. Results The performance of bronchiectasis was worse than the healthy group on the Glittre ADL test (4.78 ± 1.33 min, 3.94 ± 0.82 min, p=0.04). Distance walked in the six-minute walk test by the bronchiectasis was 42 meters lesser than the healthy (400.33 ± 77.99, 442 ± 89.21, p=0.18). The Glittre ADL test was correlated with 6MWT when the total sample was analysed (r=−0.41, p=0.05). There was moderate positive correlation between heart rate variation, dyspnoea, respiratory rate, and peripheral saturation (SpO2) between the tests (Glittre heart rate versus six-minute walk test heart rate (r=0.55, p=0.001); Glittre (Borg) versus six-minute walk test (Borg) (r=0.72, p=0.00); Glittre respiratory rate versus six-minute walk test RR (r=0.62, p=0.00); Glittre SpO2 versus six-minute walk test SpO2 (r=0.40, p=0.02)). The bronchiectasis group had a statistically significant higher (p=0.08, p=0.46) increase in dyspnoea and RR than the controls in both the Glittre ADL test and six-minute walk test (p=0.009, p=0.03), with the similar HR variation in both the groups (p > 0.05). There was statistical difference in peripheral oxygen saturation in bronchiectasis in the six-minute walk test (p=0.03). Conclusion The Glittre ADL test induced similar cardiorespiratory responses when compared to the six-minute walk test. So, the Glittre ADL test can be used as an assessment tool besides the six-minute walk test for the more complete evaluation of functional capacity and activities of daily living.

Deviations of body functions and structure, activity limitations, and participation restrictions of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health model in children with cystic fibrosis and non–cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis

“…In this study, Borg scale was used to evaluate dyspnea in Glittre‐ADL test, however, the results can sometimes be misleading because of being a “patient‐reported” scale. Although there were studies that show activity limitation in CF and adult bronchiectasis, 34,35 this study is important for the use of Glittre‐ADL test in children with non‐CF bronchiectasis for the first time and ensures data about ADL limitations in non‐CF bronchiectasis.…”

Upper Extremity Exercise Capacity and Activities of Daily Living in Individuals with Bronchiectasis Versus Healthy Controls

“…Before and after the test, dyspnea perception and leg and general fatigue using the modified Borg scale were recorded. 11 The Glittre ADL test was performed twice, with at least 30 minutes of rest between tests. 11 The test parameters with the best test score were used for analyses.…”

“…Although there are studies in which ADL were determined using the Glittre ADL test in COPD, 5 , 9 there is only 1 study conducted in individuals with bronchiectasis. 11 The Glittre ADL test produces cardiorespiratory responses comparable to the 6-Minute Walk Test. 11 …”

“… 11 The Glittre ADL test produces cardiorespiratory responses comparable to the 6-Minute Walk Test. 11 …”

Decreased ventilatory efficiency during incremental exercise in bronchiectasis

“…A decreased ventilatory efficiency, reflected by the high carbon dioxide ventilatory equivalent (V E /VCO 2 ), has been identified during incremental exercise in patients with COPD, especially when complicated with heart failure (4). At earlier stages of bronchiectasis, exercise intolerance might have become evident before cardiovascular complications developed (5). The mechanisms underlying exercise intolerance in patients with bronchiectasis without heart failure are, however, not entirely clear.…”