Role of the Timed Up and Go Test in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

The Timed Up and Go (TUG) test is a measure of functional mobility. It is a short test and requires minimal space. We determined the potential role of TUG test as a measure of function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and compared with controls. Furthermore, we wanted to determine the association and reliability of TUG test time to fall history.

Patients with COPD (n = 119) and controls with a smoking history (n = 58) were recruited. The TUG test, 6-minute walk distance and subsequent BODE score, spirometry, and history of falls were assessed. The TUG test was measured across observers and on separate days within the same individual.

The TUG test time was greater in patients, 11.9 ± 3.7 seconds, than controls, 9.5 ± 1.8 seconds (P < .001). The TUG test was inversely related to 6-minute walk distance in patients (r =-0.74) and controls (r =-0.71); P < .001. In patients, TUG test was related to BODE score (r = 0.53; P < .001) but not spirometry measurements. A receiver operator curve analysis of 0.77 in patients indicated reasonable ability for TUG test to indicate those who had fallen in the past year. A TUG of ≥12 seconds had 74% sensitivity and specificity for a history of a fall in the past year. Inter- and intraobserver values indicated minimal differences between measurements.

These results support a potential role for the TUG test to be incorporated into community COPD assessment to stratify patients functionally, particularly where time and space are limited. Future studies are required to assess impact of interventions on TUG test and determine the predictive ability to identify future falls.