1. Reduction of exacerbation frequency in patients with COPD after participation in a comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation program
- Author
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van Ranst D, Stoop WA, Meijer JW, Otten HJ, and van de Port IG
- Subjects
Diseases of the respiratory system ,RC705-779 - Abstract
D van Ranst, WA Stoop, JW Meijer, HJ Otten, IG van de PortRevant, Pulmonary Rehabilitation Center "Schoondonck," Breda, the NetherlandsBackground: Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is an important treatment option for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients and might contribute to a reduction in exacerbation and exacerbation-related hospitalization rate.Methods: In this prospective study, all COPD patients that completed a comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation program (PRP) between June 2006 and December 2012 were included. Self-reported exacerbation and hospitalization frequency 1 year before PR was retrospectively recorded. During the year following PR, exacerbation and hospitalization frequency was recorded with questionnaires.Results: For 343 patients, complete information on exacerbation and hospitalization rate was obtained. The mean number of exacerbations decreased significantly after participating in a PRP by 1.37 exacerbations/year (95% confidence interval 1.029 to 1.717) from 4.56±3.26 exacerbations in the year preceding PR to 3.18±2.53 in the year following PR (P
- Published
- 2014