Chester Step Test: is It Effective in Scleroderma Patients?

Systemic sclerosis (SSC) is a chronic autoimmune disease in which autoimmune features are associated with vascular manifestations. Patients with SSC experience many problems such as interstitial lung disease (ILD), pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), heart failure, severe gastrointestinal tract (GIT) involvement and scleroderma renal crisis (SRC). Because of these problems, SSC patients may develop an abnormal pulmonary hemodynamic response during exercise. In this situation, measuring the aerobic capacity of SSC patients can be a useful tool for health promotion. There are many different methods for measuring aerobic capacity tests. The most commonly used aerobic capacity test in SSC patients is the 6-minute walk test (6 MWT). However, although the 6 MWT is a commonly used test, it has some disadvantages. Because SSC affects multiple organs, there are doubts about the 6 MWT's ability to accurately assess these diseases. These disadvantages of the 6MWT have led to the search for new tests. The Chester step test (CST) is a submaximal test and a good option to assess aerobic capacity. An adapted version of the CST for non-healthy individuals can be used to assess aerobic capacity. There are some studies conducted with CST. As a result of my research, no study evaluating CST in individuals with SSC was found.