Prognostic significance of functional capacity and exercise behavior in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (original) (raw)

This study aimed to characterize the relationship of patient-reported functional limitations, gait speed, and mortality risk among cancer survivors. This study included cancer survivors from the Third National Health and Nutrition Survey. Patient-reported functional limitations were quantified by asking participants to assess their ability to complete five tasks: (1) walking 1/4mi, (2) walking up 10 steps, (3) stooping, crouching, or kneeling, (4) lifting or carrying an object of 10lb, and (5) standing up from an armless chair. Gait speed was quantified using a 2.4-meter walk. Vital status was obtained through the United States National Center for Health Statistics. The study sample included 428 cancer survivors who averaged 72.1years of age. The average number of patient-reported functional limitations was 1.8 (out of 5) and 66% of participants reported ≥1 functional limitation. Patient-reported functional limitations and gait speed were related, such that each functional limitatio...