Response to pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) in bronchiectasis and COPD: a propensity matched analysis

Abstract

Introduction: A systematic review of PR in bronchiectasis demonstrated short-term improvements in exercise capacity and health status, but it is not known whether the magnitude of response is similar to the well-established benefits of PR in COPD. Aim: To compare completion rates and outcomes in bronchiectasis patients with a matched sample of COPD patients attending outpatient PR. Method: Using propensity score matching (accounting for age, sex, baseline incremental shuttle walk (ISW), BMI, FEV 1 %, MRC), 213 consecutive bronchiectasis patients referred for PR were matched with a control group of 213 COPD patients referred to the same programme over the same time period. Completion rate and changes in ISW and Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire (CRQ) were compared. Result: Baseline characteristics and response to PR are in table 1. Completion rate was the same in both groups (74%). With PR, bronchiectasis patients had similar improvements in ISW and CRQ domains scores (except CRQ fatigue) to matched COPD patients. Conclusion: Bronchiectasis patients have similar completion rates and response to PR as COPD patients.