Shitrit D, Rusanov V, Peled N, Amital A, Fuks L, Kramer MR
This study was design to determine whether the simple 15-step climbing exercise oximetry test accurately characterised disease severity and survival in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Results of performance on the 15-step climbing test, pulmonary function tests, cardiopulmonary exercise test and 6-minute walk distance test were assessed at baseline. Participants were then prospectively followed for ? 2 years to determine the relationship between the test parameters and survival.
Univariate analysis showed strong correlations between the 15-stair climbing test parameters and survival. On stepwise linear regression analysis, independent significant predictors of mortality were lowest saturation levels on the 15-step test and the 6-minute walk distance test.
Journal of heart and lung transplant 2009; 28: 328 – 333