Correlation between Self-Reported Daily Activity and Submaximal Walk Test in the Assessment of Functional Capacity among Patients with Hypertension

Background: Time constraint on the part of clinicians or musculoskeletal comorbidities in the lower limbs in some patients with hypertension may sometimes prevent submaximal walk test. Hence, self-reported activity thus becomes an alternative method for assessing quick functional capacity (FC). This study assessed FC using a self-reported daily activity tool; Duke Activity Status Index (DASI) and correlated its value with 6-Minute Treadmill Walk (6-MTW) among patients with hypertension. Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited 150 (males: n = 54; females: n = 96) patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension from the Cardiac Care Unit of a Nigerian teaching hospital using purposive sampling technique. Physical and socio-demographic characteristics were recorded. Pre and post 6-MTW cardiovascular parameters were measured using an electronic sphygmomanometer. FC: maximum oxygen consumption (VO2 max) was evaluated using DASI and 6-MTW. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Alpha level was set at p < 0.05. Results: Participants were comparable in all physical and cardiovascular variables except body mass index (BMI) and heart rate (p < 0.05). The means of estimated VO2 max by DASI and 6-MTW were 24.4 ± 5.7 and 12.5 ± 3.6 mL/kg/min respectively. There was significant moderate correlation between DASI and 6MTW estimated VO2 max (r =0.58; p = 0.001). However, there were significant inverse correlations between estimated DASI VO2 max and each of age (r = -0.39; p = 0.006) and BMI (r = -0.35; p = 0.012). Similarly, there were significant inverse correlations between estimated 6-MTW VO2 max and each of age (r = -0.38; p = 0.012) and BMI (r = -0.29; p = 0.043). Conclusion: Estimated functional capacity assessed using the self-reported daily activity (DASI) demonstrated significant positive correlation with six-minute treadmill walk in patients with hypertension. DASI may be used as a quick tool for assessing functional capacity in patients with hypertension. Findings from this study may help to limit problems of insufficient laboratory facilities and inadequate experts in the assessment of functional capacity in many patients with cardiac challenges.