Exercise tolerance and quality of life in patients with Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a pulmonary 4-weeks rehabilitation program

Tolerancia al ejercicio y calidad de vida en pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica en un programa de rehabilitación pulmonar de cuatro semanas

Although is large the evidence about the improvement to the Exercise tolerance and the health-related quality of life after a pulmonary rehabilitation program in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), it is not clear its effect in short-term programs.
Objectives: To evaluate the effects of a short-term rehabilitation program of four weeks of duration in a group of COPD and dyspnea patients.
Design: Study with prospective design before and after.
Materials and methods: In a 4-level hospital, 39 patients were evaluated, sampling for convenience. The health-related quality of life (CVRS) was measure with a Saint George’s questionnaire and the exercise tolerance with the 6-minute hike. An experienced therapist made the rehabilitation in the pneumology service of the San Jose Hospital.
Results: An improvement was found in the CVRS with a decrease in the net global scoring in 17.84 with 95%IC from 24.17 to -11.49 p<0.0001 and in each dominion: symptoms -17.92 95%IC from -25.42 to -10.40, activities -18.21 95%IC -24.96 to - 11.45, impact -17.60 95%IC -44.77 to 10.41. Hike to the exercise showed a net change of 44.07 meters with 95%IC from 30.01 to 58.13 p<0.002. Classified by age groups in <65 years old the difference was 54.63 meters 95%IC from 29.02 to 80.24 and in the group of >65 years old of 32.95 meters 95%IC 22.45 to 43.45.
Conclusions: A short-term rehabilitation program, of four weeks of duration offers an important improvement of quality of life and tolerance to exercise for dyspneic COPD patients. The effect in exercise tolerance in <65 years old is higher.