P2498Exercise capacity and all-cause mortality in remote Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations

Abstract

Abstract Background Exercise capacity is a powerful predictor of all-cause mortality. However, its association with Indigenous populations in Central Australia, who face disproportionate health burdens, is unclear. Given the isolation from tertiary centers, exercise testing could provide useful local risk-stratification. Purpose To characterize the association of exercise capacity with all-cause mortality in Indigenous and non-Indigenous individuals in remote Central Australia. Methods Demographic, medication, and all-cause mortality data were prospectively collected from patients undergoing exercise stress tests from 2007–2017. Results A total of 3,414 patients (34% Indigenous) were included. At 4.8±2.9 years of follow-up, 86 (2.5%) deaths had occurred. Each 1-MET increase in exercise capacity conferred a 14% lower risk for mortality among Indigenous individuals (HR 0.86, 95% CI 0.79–0.94) and 20% lower risk for mortality among non-Indigenous individuals (HR 0.80, 95% CI 0.73–0.89) after adjusting for age, comorbidities, and medications. Mortality risk reduction for each 1-MET increase in exercise capacity was similar (p=0.32) for Indigenous and non-Indigenous individuals. Conclusions Exercise capacity is a significant predictor of all-cause mortality in Indigenous and non-Indigenous individuals. These findings have important clinical implications towards exercise capacity for risk-stratification and preventative importance of physical activity.