• Nisar Ahmed Rao, Muhammad Irfan, Ahmed Suleman Haque, Sarwar ZubairiAli BinAB, and Safia Awan.
• Department of Pulmonology, Ojha Institute of Chest Diseases, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi.
• J Coll Physicians Surg Pak. 2013 Oct 1; 23 (10): 720-5.

ObjectiveTo determine the six-minute walking distance (6MWD) for healthy Pakistanis, identify factors affecting 6MWD, compare published equations with the local data and derive an equation.Study DesignCross-sectional study.Place And Duration Of StudyTwo medical institutes of Karachi, from January to May 2011.MethodologySubjects between 15 and 65 years were prospectively enrolled after screening. A standardized 6MWT was administered. SpO2, HR, BP and dyspnoea scores were determined pre- and post-test.ResultsTwo hundred and eleven (71%) men and 85 (29%) women participated. Mean 6MWD was 469.88 ± 101.24 m: men walked 502.35 ± 92.21 m and women walked 389.28 ± 74.29 m. On univariate analysis, gender, height, weight and age showed a significant relationship with the 6MWD. Gender and age were identified as independent factors in multiple regression analysis, and together explained 33% of the variance. The gender-specific prediction equations were: 6MWD (m) for men = 164.08 + (78.06*1) - (1.90*age in years) + (1.95*height in cms) 6MWD (m) for women = 164.08 - (1.90*age in years) + (1.95*height in cms).Conclusion6MWDs among the volunteer subjects were shorter than predicted by reference equations in literature. Height, gender and weight combined explained 33% of the variance. The moderate over-estimation of the 6MWD in Pakistani subject. The proposed equation gives predicted (mean) 6MWDs for adult Pakistani naïve to the test when employing standardized protocol.

23 keywords...

hide…