A STUDY TO FIND THE CORRELATION BETWEEN SIX MINUTES WALK DISTANCE AND BLOOD GLUCOSE LEVEL IN DIABETIC PATIENTS

Introduction: Physical activity has been recommended for patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM ) as it provides enormous physiological benefits by reducing the risk factors for development of complications, improves blood glucose control, overall health and quality of life. Formulation of an individualized exercise prescription based on exercise capacity and baseline plasma glucose levels is mandatory, as an exercise intensity which is considered moderate for one might turn out to be extremely rigorous for another patient with T2DM. Materials and Methods: The relationship between 6 minute walk test (6MWT) & some correlates of T2DM was investigated in order to formulate an exercise prescription. This observational study of 102 T2DM patients from whom an informed consent was obtained, was conducted at the diabetic clinic of Sri Ramachandra medical college and research institute. The patients were instructed and made to perform a 6MWT according to ATS guidelines. The measurements included the 6-Minute Walk Distance (6MWD) for exercise capacity and the T2DM correlates including age, gender, fasting blood glucose, post prandial blood glucose, HbA1C, duration of diabetes, BMI and waist hip ratio (WHR). Results: The relationships between the parameters were determined using Pearson’s correlation coefficient at a significance level of 0.05. The participants consisted of 55 males (53.1%) & 47 females (46.1%). The mean 6MWD for males was 353.73±53.750mts & females was 317.55±58.037mts.The 6MWD correlated significantly (P < 0.05) with fasting blood glucose [r = -0.319] , post prandial blood glucose (r = -0.320), HbA1C(r = -0.381), BMI(r = -0.378), while the 6MWD didn’t show a correlation (P >0.05) with WHR (r = 0.191 (females),r=-0.058 (males),duration of diabetes (r = -0.020) and age( r = -0.112). Conclusion: Thus low exercise capacity in patients with T2DM was associated with higher adiposity & poor glycaemic control. Therefore these factors should be given consideration when prescribing exercises for patients with T2DM in order to ensure safety and efficiency of the exercise session. KEY WORDS: Diabetes Mellitus, 6MWD, Fasting Blood Glucose, Waist Hip Ratio, HbA1C.