Abstract
ContextChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a very disabling disorder that is accompanied by some extrapulmonary manifestations. Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is outlined to enhance both physical and psychological condition of patients with chronic chest diseases.AimsWe aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of 8 weeks of outpatient PR on improving breathlessness, quality of life, exercise tolerance, and functional ability in patients with stable COPD.Settings and design A randomized controlled clinical study was conducted.Patients and methodsThe current study was carried out on 80 patients with stable COPD who were classified into group 1, where 40 patients were subjected to usual pharmacological therapy for COPD and PR for 8 weeks, and group 2, where 40 patients were subjected to usual pharmacological therapy only. Both groups were assessed regarding spirometric pulmonary function, arterial blood gases, 6 min walk test, dyspnea score (modified-Medical Research Council), and health-related quality of life [Saint George respiratory questionnaire (SGRQ)]. SPSS 20.0 for windows and MedCalc 13 for windows were used for statistical analysis.ResultsApproximately 50% of patients in group 1 showed improvement in dyspnea, whereas only 25% of patients were improved in group 2. Moreover, there was a statistical significance difference between both patient groups regarding the post-treatment improvement in 6 min walk distance (6MWD) and the post-treatment improvement in the three components of SGRQ score and also in the total SGRQ score (P<0.001). The improvement in 6MWD showed significantly inverse correlation with the baseline age, modified-Medical Research Council, and SGRQ scores, whereas the improvement in 6MWD was significantly directly correlated with the baseline forced expiratory volume in 1 s, forced expiratory volume in 1 s/forced vital capacity, PaO2, and baseline 6MWD.ConclusionPR for patients with stable COPD is an effective tool for improving quality of life, exercise capacity, and dyspnea score.
Highlights
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the most common chronic lung disease, which is largely attributed to lung-related death and disability
Patients and methods The current study was carried out on 80 patients with stable COPD who were classified into group 1, where 40 patients were subjected to usual pharmacological therapy for COPD and Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) for 8 weeks, and group 2, where 40 patients were subjected to usual pharmacological therapy only
Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is a comprehensive program that depends on a complete assessment of patients and subsequent patient-tailored therapies, which consist of patient education and exercise training, outlined to enhance both physical and psychological condition of patients with chronic chest diseases and to encourage the long-term adherence to health-enhancing behaviors [3]
Summary
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the most common chronic lung disease, which is largely attributed to lung-related death and disability. COPD is a very disabling disorder that is accompanied by some extrapulmonary manifestations, but it can be prevented and treated [1]. The breathlessness developed at rest and/or during daily living activities in patients with COPD can cause an increasingly sedentary lifestyle, a progressive worsening in functional capacity, and may cause home isolation. Cardiovascular function and skeletal muscle mass decrease. Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is a comprehensive program that depends on a complete assessment of patients and subsequent patient-tailored therapies, which consist of patient education and exercise training, outlined to enhance both physical and psychological condition of patients with chronic chest diseases and to encourage the long-term adherence to health-enhancing behaviors [3]
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