Clinical Determinants of Incremental Shuttle Walk Test in Adults with Bronchiectasis

Abstract

Introduction: Exercise capacity is impaired in patients with bronchiectasis. Incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT) stresses cardiorespiratory system physiologically to symptom-limited maximal exercise capacity. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical determinants of ISWT in adults with non-cystic fibrosis (CF) bronchiectasis. Methods: Forty-one clinically stable bronchiectasis patients aged 18–72 years (27 females, 14 males) participated in the study. Subjects’ demographics and physical characteristics were recorded. Bronchiectasis Severity Index was used to identify disease severity. Pulmonary function test was performed. Dyspnea perception was assessed using the modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale. Maximum inspiratory and expiratory pressures were measured. Peripheral muscle strength using a hand held dynamometer was measured. ISWT was performed to determine exercise capacity. Fatigue Severity Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Leicester Cough Questionnaire were used to determine fatigue, psychosocial status, and quality of life. Results: Patients’ mean ISWT distance was 469.5 m. The ISWT distance was significantly related with age (r = − 0.472), height (r = 0.469), gender (r = 0.520), FEV 1 (r = 0.651), and FVC (r = 0.545, p < 0.05). Quadriceps muscle strength was higher in males (p = 0.001) as compared to females. Age and gender were identified as independent predictors of the ISWT, explaining 42% of variance in ISWT distance (r = 0.649, r 2 = 0.421, F (2,38) = 13.794, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The clinical determinants of ISWT in clinically stable patients with non-CF bronchiectasis are age and gender. Pulmonary function, dyspnea perception, muscle strength, disease severity, fatigue, psychosocial factors, and health-related quality of life seems to have an independent effect on ISWT in this group of patients with bronchiectasis.