Assessment of daily life physical activities in pulmonary arterial hypertension

Abstract

Background: In pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), the six-minute walk test (6MWT) is believed to be representative of patient's daily life physical activities (DL PA). Whether DL PA are decreased in PAH and whether the 6MWT is representative of patient's DL PA remain unknown. Methods: 15 patients with idiopathic PAH (IPAH) and 10 patients with PAH associated with limited systemic sclerosis (PAH-SSc) were matched with 15 healthy control subjects and 10 patients with limited systemic sclerosis without PAH. Each subject completed a 6MWT. The mean number of daily steps and the mean energy expenditure and duration of physical activities >3 METs were assessed with a physical activity monitor for seven consecutive days and used as markers of DL PA. Results: The mean number of daily steps and the mean daily energy expenditure and duration of physical activities >3 METs were all reduced in PAH patients compared to their controls (all p <0.01 and r = 0.85, p<0.01), respectively. Conclusion: DL PA are decreased in PAH and correlate with the 6MWT distance. Functional exercise capacity may thus be a useful surrogate of DL PA in PAH. © 2011 Mainguy et al.