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Exercise testing in the evaluation of impairment and disability
1UCLA School of Medicine.
Clinics in Chest Medicine
|June 1, 1994
Summary
Integrative cardiopulmonary exercise testing is now a valuable clinical tool for assessing exertional dyspnea and exercise intolerance. This objective testing method enhances impairment evaluation, especially in lung disease patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiopulmonary Physiology
- Clinical Exercise Testing
Background:
- Integrative cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) has transitioned from a research tool to a vital clinical assessment.
- CPET is particularly effective for evaluating exertional dyspnea and exercise intolerance.
Observation:
- Exercise testing offers objective determination of abnormal exercise tolerance.
- It provides increased sensitivity for detecting subtle pulmonary gas exchange abnormalities.
- CPET can identify non-pulmonary causes of impairment and quantitate disability.
Findings:
- Evidence supports CPET's role in enhancing the evaluation and quantification of impairment.
- The method is valuable for patients with mild-to-moderate lung disease, aiding in occupational disease assessment.
- CPET addresses various clinical questions beyond primary lung function.
Implications:
- The utility of assessing work capacity during actual exertion is becoming increasingly recognized.
- CPET integration into clinical practice can improve diagnostic accuracy for exercise-related symptoms.
- This approach offers a more comprehensive understanding of patient limitations and potential underlying conditions.