• T S Hallstrand, L J Boitano, W C Johnson, C A Spada, J G Hayes, and G Raghu.
• Dept of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical care Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-6522, USA.
• Eur. Respir. J. 2005 Jan 1; 25 (1): 96-103.

AbstractIdiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a relentlessly progressive disease with a median survival of approximately 3 yrs. Measurements of airflow and lung volumes at rest are generally used to monitor the clinical course in this disorder. This study was designed to determine if a modified version of the 6-min walk test, called the timed walk test, accurately characterises disease severity and survival in IPF. The study population consisted of 28 patients with well-characterised progressive IPF. The timed walk test and concurrent measures of disease severity were assessed at baseline. Participants were prospectively followed for > or =4 yrs to determine the relationship between parameters of the timed walk test and survival. There were strong correlations between the end-exercise saturation and walk-velocity parameters of the timed walk test and diffusing capacity, and arterial oxygen tension at rest. In univariate Cox proportional-hazards models, end-exercise saturation, change in saturation with exercise, walk distance and walk velocity were associated with survival. In unadjusted logistic regression models, odds of death at 2 yrs were associated with the same parameters. In conclusion, the timed walk test relates to disease severity and long-term outcome in progressive idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

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