Nível de atividade física e desempenho físico no teste de caminhada de seis minutos em crianças e adolescentes com anemia falciforme

Abstract

Background: To establish determinants of maximum walking distance of 6-minute walk test (6MWT) in children and adolescents with sickle cell anemia (SCA); and to compare physical activity level (PAL) and 6MWT performance between patients versus healthy controls. Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional study in which the participants answered the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children and Adolescents, and 6MWT was conducted. Main Results: We studied 57 patients and 58 controls. Among patients, by univariate analysis, age (p<0.0001) and indirect bilirubin (p=0.008) were associated with maximum walking distance in 6MWT (6MWD). In multivariate analysis, age was positively associated (p<0.0001; beta: 0.75), while Body Mass Index (BMI) was inversely associated with 6MWD (p=0.047; beta: -0.32). This yields the following equation: maximum 6MWD = 487.7 (age x 18.3) - (12 x BMI). Patients reported lower PAL, however, there was no difference in 6MWD between patients (500.6±88.7 meters) and controls (536.3±94 meters). Conclusion: The determinants for the 6MWD in children and adolescents with SCA were age and BMI. We observed no difference in 6MWD but patients with SCA had lower PAL compared to healthy controls.