Ambulatory Function in Men with and without HIV Infection: Association with Cardiorespiratory Fitness

Abstract

Objective: The study purpose was to compare ambulatory function in men with and without HIV infection, and test the association with aerobic exercise capacity. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 45 HIV-infected men and 37 age and race-matched HIVuninfected men at the Baltimore VA Medical Center. Participants performed cardiorespiratory exercise testing, sixminute walk (6-MW) and the 400-meter long distance corridor walk (LDCW) as part of a study of veterans without history of CVD. Results: The mean (SD) age was 55 (6) years. Among the 82 male participants, 98% were African American race. The 6-MW distance correlated with aerobic exercise capacity (VO2peak) in both HIV-infected subjects (r=0.50, p <0.001). Duration in the 400 meter LDCW inversely correlated with VO2peak in HIV-infected (r=-0.52, p 0.1). Between HIV groups, there was a significant difference in LDCW (p=0.01) but not in 6-MW (p=0.3). Conclusions: In HIV-infected men without known CVD the 6-MW and LDCW, provide similar estimates of aerobic exercise capacity. The findings are comparable to uninfected men with similar demographic and clinical characteristics, and support endurance walk tests to estimate aerobic exercise capacity in HIV-infected patients.