Evaluation of the six-minute walk test in patients with chronic heart failure associated with Chagas' disease and systemic arterial hypertension

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: To evaluate physical capacity as determined by the six-minute walk test (6MWT) in patients with chronic heart failure due to Chagas' disease associated with systemic arterial hypertension (Chagas-SAH). METHODS: A total of 98 patients routinely followed at the Cardiomyopathy Outpatient Service were recruited. Of these, 60 (61%) were diagnosed with Chagas disease and 38 (39%) with Chagas-SAH. RESULTS: The distance walked during 6 min was 357.9 ±98 m for Chagas-SAH patients and 395.8 ± 121m for Chagas cardiomyopathy patients (p >0.05). In patients with Chagas-SAH, a negative correlation occurred between the 6MWT and the total score of the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (r= -0.51; p=0.001). No other correlations were determined between 6MWT values and continuous variables in patients with Chagas-SAH. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the 6MWT in Chagas-SAH patients are similar to those verified in Chagas cardiomyopathy patients with chronic heart failure. Coexistence of SAH does not seem to affect the functional capacity of Chagas cardiomyopathy patients with chronic heart failure.

Correlation of 6‐min walk test with left ventricular function and quality of life in heart failure due to Chagas disease

“…This may result in a decrease in the distance covered by the patient during the 6MWT in our study, as demonstrated for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease . However, several other studies on HF have used course lengths similar to ours and the distance covered in our study is similar to that found in other studies on HF and in ChD with HF . In fact, many other factors may influence the 6MWT result for a specific subject and physicians should bear that in mind when interpreting the result of a specific patient or comparing studies.…”

“…Furthermore, the test was feasible and well accepted as only two patients interrupted the test. In addition, the distance covered was similar to other studies that evaluated 6MWT in HF and in ChD with HF .…”

“…The distance covered during the 6MWT presented a moderate positive correlation with several domains of the SF‐36 and a moderate negative correlation with the MLHFQ quality‐of‐life scores. Others also found a correlation between 6MWT results and quality‐of‐life scores in patients with HF and correlation between the MLHFQ and 6MWT in patients with ChD and HF .…”

The 6-min Walk Test Reflects Functional Capacity in Primary Care and Obese Patients

“…Indeed, in our multiple regression analyses the number of chronic diseases was an independent predictor of the 6MWTD. This is in line with previous studies showing that the presence of some chronic diseases (diabetes, obesity, hypertension, arthritis, lung and cardiac diseases) and cardiovascular risk markers (high systolic blood pressure, lipids profile and fasting glucose) reduced the 6MWTD [13,[17][18][19]. However, we found no association between depression, anxiety and smoker status with the 6MWTD, in contrast to some studies [13,17,18,30].…”

Monitoring Functional Capability of Individuals with Lower Limb Amputations Using Mobile Phones

“…However, to avoid the need for clinical judgment during scoring, there are a number of physical performance metrics which can be used to establish a patient’s current ability–e.g. the six minute walk test [32], timed up and go [33], and berg balance [34] to name a few. Importantly, these questionnaires, surveys, and physical measures are measuring patients as they are presented in the clinic, and using their self-assessments to determine their future functional level.…”