Importance of Six Minute Walk Distance Test in Patients With Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Abstract

Background: The most common idiopathic interstitial pneumonia is idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and it is one of the most severe forms of IIP. The incidence of IPF is about 10.7 per 100,000 people for males and 7.4 per 100,000 people for females. Objective: To study the association between the six-minute walk distance test in patient with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Methodology: A cross-sectional observational study (inpatients and outpatients) visiting the Department of Respiratory Medicine, Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal for the period of 18 months from November 2019 to April 2021. Results: The association between different types of IPF and 6MWT was found to be statistically significant (P-value <0.05). 6MWT was found abnormal in 65 (62.5%) of cases, out of which most cases were seen with definitive UIP 57 (54.8).In this study, significant desaturation after the 6-minute walk test was found in 29 patients (27.9%) of IPF and mostly with the definitive UIP 27(26%). Conclusion: Significant desaturation in the 6-minute walk test was found in IPF. The association between different types of IPF and 6MWT was found to be statistically significant with a P value <0.05. and maximum with definitive UIP. So 6MWT Should be performed in all cases of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.