Can 6-minute walk test predict severity of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome?

Background When considering the benefits of the 6-min walking test (6-MWT) in research fields and the need of treatment for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients, research in this field is of great advantage and may have a significant role in therapeutic grounds. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted on 47 patients with confirmed diagnosis of OSA in the National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Masih Daneshvari Hospital. The 6-MWT was performed the day after polysomnography. The correlation between the 6-MWT and paraclinical findings during polysomnography in OSA patients was investigated. Results In cases with moderate to severe OSA, the male sex displayed correlation with high PCO2. Ages of patients examined displayed reversed correlation with the distance in the 6-MWT by observing the O2 saturation (Sat) at the end of the 6-MWT, displaying direct correlation with the duration of O2 Sat