Pulmonary rehabilitation in pneumoconiosis: a propensity matched analysis

Abstract

Introductions: The benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are well established. Limited data supports its role in pneumoconiosis. Aims: To assess completion rates and response to PR in pneumoconiosis patients, and compare them with a matched group of COPD patients. Methods: Using a case-control design, 15 pneumoconiosis patients who were referred to us for PR were matched with a control group of 15 COPD patients, propensity score-matched to age, sex, FEV1%predicted, BMI, 6MWT and mMRC dyspnea score. Their PR completion rates(defined by attending ≥50% of 24 supervised outpatient PR sessions and a post-PR assessment), change in exercise capacity (assessed by 6-min walking test (6MWT), functional performance (by monitored functional task evaluation (MFTE), and health-related quality of life (by chronic respiratory questionnaire (CRQ) were compared between groups. Results: PR completion rates were similar in pneumoconiosis and COPD group (86.7% versus 80.0%, p=1.00). They attended similar number of PR sessions (median(25th,75th centiles): 24(20,24) in pneumoconiosis versus 22(18,24) in COPD patients, p=0.567). With PR, significant improvements in exercise, functional performance, and health-status outcomes were observed in pneumoconiosis group, similar to that observed in the matched COPD group. (Table 1) Conclusions: PR benefits pneumoconiosis patients in a magnitude similar to that of COPD patients.