Physical Activity a Vital Sign V1 [COVID-19]
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exertional desaturation as a marker of risk – Validation study for the 40 steps test: A multi-centre prospective observational cohort study
IRAS ID
283998
Contact name
Christian Subbe
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
BCUH
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN86554504
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Since the start of the current COVID-19 pandemic we now must consider the possibility of this condition in every patient seen. Some COVID-19 patients may have “silent hypoxaemia” – a low level of oxygen in the blood, despite the patient feeling well. Checking blood oxygen levels at rest can be problematic; levels often appear normal, which might lead to patients being discharged early from hospital services. Testing blood oxygen levels before and after physical exertion may confirm abnormalities, which could change the decision to discharge. This has already been demonstrated in patients diagnosed with early interstitial lung disease. Including a simple test involving 40 steps on the spot during the discharge process may be an effective way of determining whether patients have low blood oxygen; and may confirm whether the decision to discharge is appropriate or if a further period of observation and investigation is required.
REC name
Wales REC 5
REC reference
20/WA/0286
Date of REC Opinion
16 Oct 2020
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion