Association between Homeostasis assessment-insulin resistance and 6-minute Walking Distance in Japanese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

[Purpose] To investigate the association between insulin resistance and the 6-minute walking distance (6MWD) in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes. [Subjects] Untreated patients with type 2 diabetes (21 men and 7 women, age 57.1 ± 10.6 years) were recruited for this study. [Methods] Subjects performed the 6-min walking test. %6MWD was calculated as the measured 6MWD divided by the predicted 6MWD. Homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was measured as insulin resistance. [Results] Measured 6MWD was significantly lower than predicted 6MWD. Simple linear regression analysis indicated that %6MWD significantly correlated with age, HOMA-IR and pulse wave velocity. Stepwise multivariate regression analysis showed that age and HOMA-IR were independent determinants of %6MWD. [Conclusion] 6MWD, a measure of exercise tolerance, that is easily measured in clinical settings, correlates well with the insulin resistance of patients with type 2 diabetes.