Role of Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Copd Patients

Abstract

BACKGROUNDChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with reduction in daily physical activity that contribute to the patient's disability and poor health-related quality of life. Pulmonary rehabilitation plays an essential role in the management of symptomatic patients with COPD by breaking the vicious circle of dyspnoea-decreased activity-deconditioning-isolation. Several randomised studies and meta-analyses greatly established the benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation. Pulmonary rehabilitation is recommended in a number of influential guidelines. In this study, we have compared the symptomatic wellbeing of COPD patients attending Pulmonology OP at Govt. Rajaji Hospital, Madurai.In this study, we aim to evaluate the benefits of Pulmonary Rehabilitation in COPD patients who are on Pharmacological treatment (Standard of care management) for COPD. MATERIALS AND METHODSTotal of 80 COPD (FEV1/FVC less than 0.7 with no reversibility after bronchodilators in Pulmonary Function Test) patients were taken with various degrees of obstruction (24-Mild, 32-Moderate, 24-Severe). The degree of obstruction was determined by FEV1 as per GOLD guidelines, FEV1 > 80-Mild, FEV1-Moderate and FEV1-Severe Obstruction. They were divided into two groups with 40 patients in each group (12-Mild, 16-Moderate, 12-Severe). One set of patients had only pharmacological treatment, whereas the other set had a combined pulmonary rehabilitation with pharmacological treatment. The improvement in Borg scale, Visual analogue scale, MMRC grading of dyspnea and 6-minute walk distance were compared between the two groups. RESULTSThe group with combined pulmonary rehabilitation with pharmacological treatment had a significant improvement in dyspnea index and a significant improvement in the 6-minute walk distance. The values were statistically significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONThe group with combined pulmonary rehabilitation with pharmacological treatment had a significant improvement in dyspnea index and a significant improvement in the 6-minute walk distance. The values were statistically significant (P < 0.05). The benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation were greater in patients with severe COPD. The more severe the obstruction, the greater the benefit. KEYWORDSPulmonary Rehabilitation, COPD, Breathlessness Index. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE:Babu BK, Rathinam P, Elamparithi S, et al. Role of pulmonary rehabilitation in COPD patients.