Systemic sclerosis & Raynaud's
Value of the 6 min walk test in detecting cardiopulmonary involvement in patients with systemic sclerosis
Authors' conclusion
6MWT parameters are associated with CPI in SSc. A stable 6MWD and absence of desaturation may help rule out CPI, but their low sensitivity suggests that 6MWT alone is insufficient for screening and should be complemented by additional diagnostic modalities.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) from two large prospective cohortstwo prospective cohorts
- Exposure
- 6MWT parameters for detecting incident cardiopulmonary involvement (CPI) in SSc
- Outcome
- Diagnostic accuracy of 6MWT parameters for incident cardiopulmonary involvement (CPI)
Methodological detailsdiagnostic accuracy, two prospective cohorts, multivariable regression, linear mixed models, predefined thresholds
- Diagnostic accuracy
- Two prospective cohorts
- Multivariable regression
- Linear mixed models
- Predefined thresholds
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Detection of incident CPI
| Group | Sensitivity | Specificity |
|---|---|---|
| 6MWD decline ≥33 m | 34.7% | 79% |
| New desaturation | 10.6% | 92.6% |
Sensitivity
6MWD decline ≥33 m34.7%
New desaturation10.6%
Specificity
6MWD decline ≥33 m79%
New desaturation92.6%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | Estimate | |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise-induced desaturation, CPIvs no CPI | OR 17.0 (95% CI 8.7–33) | |
| Linear mixed model: association with CPICPIvs No CPI | OR (exercise-induced desaturation) 15 (95% CI 8.5–30) | |
| 0.050.21520Ratio (log scale) |
| Outcome | Estimate |
|---|---|
| 6MWD, CPI vs no CPIWalked 89 m less with CPI | difference 89 m (95% CI −116 to 61) |
| Linear mixed model: association with CPICPI vs No CPI | 6MWD −33 m (95% CI −45 to 21) |
Change in 6MWD over time
- 6MWD increase per year
- 3.0 m (95% CI 1.7 to 4.3)
Original publication
Value of the 6 min walk test in detecting cardiopulmonary involvement in patients with systemic sclerosis. RMD Open. Published 15 July 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →