A STUDY ON SIX MINUTE WALK TEST AMONG CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE PATIENTS

BACKGROUND Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is characterized by airflow obstruction that is usually progressive and may be accompanied by airway hypersensitivity and be partially reversible (Ref. 1). Recent advances have led researchers to look at patients with COPD beyond just spirometric classification and identify other systemic manifestations of the disease that may contribute to morbidity and mortality. The Six Minute Walk Test (6MWT) is a practical and simple test. This test measures the distance that a patient can quickly walk on a flat, hard surface in a period of six minutes. It evaluates the global and integrated responses of all the systems involved during exercise including the pulmonary and cardiovascular systems, systemic circulation, peripheral circulation, blood and neuromuscular units. Hence, the six minute walk distance may better reflect the functional exercise level for daily physical activities. Our aim of the study was to correlate the severity of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease patients (COPD) with Six Minute Walk Test (6MWT).