The utility of 1-minute sit-to-stand test to detect exercise-induced oxygen desaturation in outpatient assessment of post COVID-19 patients.

• Main Authors: M. A., Ibrahim, M. N., Kamarudin, Chai, Chee Shee, M. F., Abdul Rani
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: European Respiratory Society 2022
• Subjects: R Medicine (General)
• Online Access: http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/41229/3/The%20utility.pdf; http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/41229/; https://erj.ersjournals.com/content/60/suppl_66/745
• Institution: Universiti Malaysia Sarawak

Introduction: The 6-min walk test (6MWT) is the gold standard for assessing exercise-induced impairment of gas exchange, but it is technically challenging in a busy outpatient clinic. The aim of this study was to compare the 1-min sit-to-stand test (1STST) with the 6MWT in assessment of exercise-induced oxygen desaturation in post COVID-19 patients in an outpatient setting. Methods: A total of 447 outpatient post COVID-19 patients were recruited from post COVID-19 clinic. Both 6MWT and 1STST (a set) were performed on the same day including pulse oxygen saturation (SpO2) recording at baseline, nadir, and recovery stage. Results: A total of 447 sets were performed at a mean of 160 days post discharge. Majority were in category severe (n=251, 56%), critical (n=118, 26%) and moderate (n=6, 15%). At assessment, most patients were symptomatic (mMRC > 2) n= 258, 58%. There was no significant difference between nadir SpO2 for 6MWT and 1STST (p<0.075) with Bland-Altman plots showing good agreement, p<0.593 (figure 1). There was good correlation between SpO2 and 6MWT or 1STST at baseline; R=0.592 p<0.001, nadir; R=0.456 p<0.001, and recovery; R= 0.514 p<001. 1STST had 76.8% sensitivity and 42.4% specificity to detect > 4% oxygen desaturation compared with 6MWT (table 1). There was also correlation between 6MWT distance and 1STST repetition; R=0.144 p<0.002. Conclusion: Both 6MWT and 1STS have good agreement on nadir SpO2 and are sensitive to detect > 4% oxygen desaturation. Therefore, 1STST is an useful screening test to detect exercise-induced oxygen desaturation during outpatient assessment.