Pulmonary rehabilitation in interstitial lung diseases compared with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract

Introduction: Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is regarded as a standard of care for most chronic respiratory patients (CRP). Differences in PR programs (PRP) specifications and outcomes for both Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are still under investigation. Aim: To ascertain the differences in the operational characteristics and the outcomes obtained with PRP in ILD and COPD patients. Material and methods: Observational retrospective study of CRP who completed PRP in our unit (Jan2017-Feb2019). PRP was hospital based and combined supervised exercise training and educational intervention, twice weekly for ≥ 8 weeks. Patients were grouped (ILD or COPD) and comparison of baseline characteristics, PRP overall duration and final outcomes were made, using Chi-square and non-parametric (Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon) tests for a level of significance of 5%. Results: A total of 22 patients were included (13 COPD v 9 ILD). Both groups had similar characteristics: male sex (76.9% v 100%); median age of 64 [35-74] and 66 [51-75] years, baseline dyspnea (mMRC 3 v 2.5) and quality of life (SGRQ 64.20 v 44.96) scores; functional capacity (mean 6 minute Walk Test distance 372.7 v 416.8 meters); anxiety (median 8 v 9) and depression (both median 9) symptoms. ILD patients completed an overall higher number of sessions (mean 15.3 v 19.4). Final outcomes were similar in both groups but ILD surpassed COPD patients in final Borg dyspnea scale assessment (p=0.040) and improvement in anxiety symptoms (p=0.012). Conclusion: In our sample PRP was equally beneficial for COPD and ILD patients, though ILD patients had benefited in symptoms from longer programs.