Gait speed and 6-minute walking distance are useful for identifying difficulties in activities of daily living in patients with cardiovascular disease

Background: Difficulty in activities of daily living (ADL) is common in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and is associated with mortality. Objectives: The relationship between gait speed/6-minute walking distance (6MWD) and difficulties in ADL in patients with CVD was explored. Methods: The study population consisted of 447 patients with CVD for whom data on gait speed, 6MWD, and difficulty in ADL during outpatient rehabilitation were available. Relationships of gait speed/6MWD and difficulty in ADL were examined using propensity-adjusted logistic regression analysis. Results: Both gait speed and 6MWD were significantly related to difficulty in ADL, and the areas under the curves were large. The cutoff values ranged from 0.93 to 1.30 m/s for gait speed and 370 to 500 m for 6MWD, from basic ADL to vigorous activities. Conclusions: Both gait speed and 6MWD were used for the estimation of difficulty in ADL in patients with CVD. Gait speed can be measured easily and therefore could be incorporated in busy clinical practice to identify patients at risk for functional decline. (C) 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The study examined the relationship between gait speed/6MWD and difficulties in activities of daily living in patients with cardiovascular disease. Results showed significant correlations between gait speed, 6MWD, and difficulty in ADL, providing a potential tool for assessing functional decline risk in patients.