- Comparison of cardiopulmonary exercise testing findings reported by the current study and a previous survey carried out 2 decades ago.
| Variables | Al-Hazzaa et al8 (N=34) | Current study (N=52) |
|---|---|---|
| Availability of CPET | ||
| Yes | 5 (14.7) | 15 (28.8) |
| No | 29 (85.4) | 37 (71.1) |
| Mode | ||
| Treadmill | 4 (80.0) | 10 (90.9) |
| Leg ergometer | 3 (60.0) | 2 (18.2) |
| Arm ergometer | 2 (40.0) | 1 (9.1) |
| Type of barriers | ||
| Lack of trained technicians | 10 (34.5) | 31 (83.7) |
| Lack of equipment | 12 (41.4) | 34 (91.8) |
| Lack of training in interpreting the results | 9 (31.0) | 15 (40.5) |
| Time consuming | 1 (3.4) | 1 (2.7) |
| No cardiologist available | 0 (0.0) | 1 (2.7) |
| Not totally convinced of its diagnostic value | 1 (3.4) | 1 (2.7) |
| Healthcare provider supervising the exercise testing | ||
| Cardiologist | 3 (60.0) | 6 (54.5) |
| Exercise physiologist | 2 (40.0) | 4 (36.4) |
| Pulmonologist | 0 (0.0) | 1 (9.1) |
Values are presented as numbers and precentages (%). CPET: cardiopulmonary exercise testing