Six-minute walk distance, ECOG Performance Status, and Modified Borg Scale scores in a cohort of Pakistani patients with noncancerous end-stage liver disease selected for liver transplant

• Published in: Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association Vol. 71; no. 4; pp. 1162 - 1166
• Main Authors: Ashraf, Khaula, Ayaz, Saeed Bin, Yasmeen, Rehana, Khan, Bisharat Ullah, Fayyaz, Rabia, Tassadaq, Naureen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Knowledge Bylanes 30.04.2021
• Subjects: Care and treatment; Development and progression; Health aspects; Liver diseases; Quality of life; Walking; Pakistan
• ISSN: 0030-9982
• DOI: 10.47391/JPMA.05

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the functional status of Pakistani patients with non-cancerous end-stage liver disease selected for liver transplant and to compare results acquired through various assessment tools. METHODSThe study was conducted at the Rehabilitation Medicine Department, Shifa International Hospital Islamabad, Pakistan, from August 2017 to November 2019 and comprised end-stage liver disease patients of either gender who had been selected for liver transplant. Assessment tools included the Six-Minute Walk Distance, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status and Modified Borg Dyspnoea Scale across age, gender, ethnicity, primary aetiology, and Model for end-stage liver disease score. Data were analysed using SPSS 20. RESULTSOf 172 patients, 143(83%) were males; 99(58%) hailed from the Punjab province; and 118(71%) had hepatitis C as the most common aetiology. The overall mean age was 46.1±10.5 years (range: 14-70 years). The mean Six-Minute Walk Distance was 291.9±67.2m. Model for end-stage liver disease score had a significant inverse correlation with Six-Minute Walk Distance (p<0.01) and a significant positive correlation with Modified Borg Dyspnoea Scale (p=0.02) and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status scores (p<0.01). Age and ethnicity had no correlation with the variables (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONSThe Six-Minute Walk Distance was significantly low. The Model for end-stage liver disease score was inversely correlated with Six-Minute Walk Distance score, and positively correlated with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status and Modified Borg Dyspnoea Scale scores.