Pulmonary rehabilitation efficiency in COPD patients with pulmonary hypertension

Abstract

COPD is among the most common causes for secondary pulmonary hypertension (PH). Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is recommended in the standard treatment of COPD. In this study, efficiency of multidisciplinary PR in COPD patients with PH was examined. 88 patients stable COPD patients who applied to our center between 2008-2013 were enrolled. Un-likely PH patients were grouped as Group 1 while possible and likely PH cases were accepted as Group 2. There were no other cause for PH. All the patients received patient-specific, multidisciplinary 8-week PR. Dyspnea perception was assessed via MRC dyspnea scale, health-related quality of life with S. George life quality questionnaire, exercise capacity via incremental shuttle walking test and endurance shuttle walking test and body composition via bioelectrical impedance test before and after PR program. In all the patients there were significant improvements in body composition (BMİ p= 0.013), quality of life (SGRQ semp., activity, total p< 0.001), dyspnea perception (MRC p< 0.001) and exercise capacity (ISWTT, ESWT, VO2 peak p< 0.001) after PR program. Improvements in Group 2 were observed to be significantly greater. PR is an effective and safe option in COPD patients with PH. These patients should be directed to PH programs for supervised exercise training and chronic disease management and patient-specific PR programs should be established.