ABSTRACT
Background The Duke Activity Status Index (DASI) questionnaire assesses functional capacity of patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD[1]figure 1.). DASI derives a total score and corresponding METs level. We utilised this questionnaire during COVID-19 when face to face (F2F) functional capacity testing was an unavailable outcome measure for cardiac rehabilitation (CR). Aim To evaluate the correlation between DASI METs and the incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT)and establish if it is a reliable tool to estimate functional capacity in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Methods DASI questionnaire was completed over the phone as part of a subjective assessment. Two ISWTs were performed at a F2F appointment prior to starting class, best of two, taken. Measures were repeated post-CR completion. Results 93 patients, 64.5% male, mean age (SD) 65.3 (9.6) years, assessed at baseline. Patients' presentation: 27% NSTEMI, 24% STEMI, 16% Angina, 13% Heart failure and 20% other. Outcomes pre to post CR are shown in table 1. Correlation between DASI METs and the ISWT at baseline was r= 0.32 [weak positive (p<0.05)] and post-CR was r= 0.67[strong positive (p<0.01)]. The ISWT change was similar to the minimum important difference (MID) 70m in the CHD population. There is no MID for the DASI Conclusions Patients attending CR post-pandemic made significant improvements in both the DASI and ISWT. Correlations became stronger post programme, indicating patients may better self-evaluate physical performance after taking part in CR. DASI questionnaire may be a useful alternative outcome measure when F2F exercise testing is not an option. Future work could explore how to prescribe an exercise programme from this and what might represent a meaningful change in this outcome following CR (Table Presented).