Benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and interstitial lung disease with the same dyspnea severity

Pedro, P. I.; Santos, L. Maia; Forte, C. Braço; Dias, A.; Cruz, C.; Rodrigues, Fabio Ribeiro

http://hdl.handle.net/10451/39801

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Authors

Rodrigues, Fabio Ribeiro

Abstract(s)

Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) programs improve exercise capacity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and interstitial lung disease (ILD), but few studies compare results between both pathologies. It is not yet obvious whether gains in 6-min walk distance (6MWD) accomplished by patients with ILD are comparable to those with COPD, because existing studies have yielded conflicting results. There are studies that reported similar improvement in exercise tolerance and quality of life in patients with COPD and non-obstructive lung disease. However, the duration of benefit may be shorter lived than that seen after PR among patients with COPD. Also, the type and severity of ILD may also influence outcomes of PR. A recent systematic review and meta-analysis on the impact of pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis showed a growing body of evidence of its benefit in exercise tolerance and quality of life. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of PR on exercise capacity using 6-min walk test (6MWT) within and between COPD and ILD patients. Outcomes were the change in 6MWD and maximum heart rate (HRmax), and the comparison of these changes between groups according to dyspnea level classified by modified Medical Research Council scale (mMRC).