Association between physical functioning assessed by questionnaires and 6-minute walk distance with prognosis among patients after lung cancer surgery

• Published in: Journal of respiratory physical therapy Vol. 4; no. 1; pp. 32 - 38
• Main Authors: 太田 幸將, 齋藤 洋, 杉村 裕志, 宮越 浩一
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: Japanese Society of Respiratory Physical Therapy 21.03.2025; 一般社団法人 日本呼吸理学療法学会
• Subjects: 6分間歩行試験; EORTC QLQ C-30; 予後; 手術; 肺癌
• ISSN: 2436-7966
• DOI: 10.51116/kokyurigakuryohogaku.4.1_32

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate whether subjective (EORTC QLQ C-30 Physical Functioning [PF]) and objective (6-minute walk distance [6MWD]) physical function measures are associated with prognosis in patients after lung cancer surgery.METHODS: A total of 237 postoperative lung cancer patients were included. Physical function was assessed using 6MWD and the PF subscale score, both measured preoperatively and at discharge. Patients were categorized into groups based on the median values of 6MWD and PF. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses were used to evaluate their associations with all-cause mortality.RESULTS: The median patient age was 70 years, and 159 patients (67.1%) were male. The median (interquartile range) values of 6MWD and PF were 400 (335-450) m and 86.7 (73.3-93.3), respectively. The median follow-up period was 1396 (1103-1828) days, during which 35 patients (14.8%) died. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed a significantly lower mortality rate in the high 6MWD group (P < 0.001), whereas PF was not significantly associated with mortality. Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that a higher 6MWD was associated with lower all-cause mortality (hazard ratio, 0.30; 95% confidence interval, 0.13-0.73; P < 0.001), whereas a higher PF score was not.CONCLUSION: Among postoperative lung cancer patients, 6MWD measured at discharge was a significant predictor of survival, whereas the PF score was not associated with prognosis.