Evaluation of functional capacity for exercise in children and adolescents with sickle-cell disease through the six-minute walk test

What Researchers Did

Researchers used a six-minute walk test to measure how well 46 children and adolescents with sickle cell disease could exercise.

What They Found

The 46 patients, with an average age of 9.15 years, walked an average of 480.89 meters. Patients with HbSS/Sβ(0)-thalassemia walked a shorter distance (459.39 meters) compared to those with HbSC/Sβ(+)-thalassemia (502.39 meters, p=0.032). Overall, these patients showed lower exercise capacity than expected for their age.

Canadian Relevance

No direct Canadian connection identified.

Study Limitations

This cross-sectional study provides a snapshot of exercise capacity at one point in time, which means it cannot show changes over time or cause-and-effect relationships.