Outcome of pulmonary rehabilitation in stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common disease with pulmonary & extra-pulmonary symptoms. It is a leading cause of mortality & disability. In India, the crude estimate of COPD burden is over 30 million. Methods: Study was conducted over a period of 18 months in clinically diagnosed 70 cases (35 patients each in group I and II) of COPD of all ages and both gender. Results: Mean age of patients was 64.14±5.94 years in Group I and 65.05±5.58 in Group II. Majority of patients were males in our study, 30 (75.72%) patients were male in Group I and 28(80%) patients in Group II. In Group I (82.85%) & Group II (77.15%) patients were smoker. In Group I statistically significant decrease in mean mMRC after 6 weeks & 12 weeks of PR (baseline 2.57±0.50; 6 Wks 1.68±0.47; 12Wks 1.02±0.16) was observed. In group II, mean mMRC decrease was not statistically significant (baseline 2.54±0.50; at 6 weeks 2.51±0.50 & 2.48±0.50 at 12 weeks). In Group I statistically significant increase in mean 6MWD after 6 weeks & 12 weeks of PR (baseline 285.88±32.11 meter; 320.82±32.52 meter at 6 Wks; 345.48±32.10 meter at 12Wks) was found. In group II, mean 6MWD increase was not statistically significant (baseline 296.34±28.17 meter; 294.62±30.23 at 6 weeks & 297.02±28.89 at 12 weeks). In Group I statistically significant decrease in mean SGRQ after 6 weeks & 12 weeks of PR (baseline 68.05±5.54; at 6 Wks 53.74±5.79; at 12Wks 38.22±8.66). Decrease in SGRQ indicated improvement in quality of life whereas in group II, there was no significant decrease in mean SGRQ (baseline 66.28±3.97; at 6 weeks 65.2±3.88 & at 12 weeks 65.11±4.70). Conclusion: COPD patients had reduced exercise capacity (low 6 MWD), high dyspnea score and impaired quality of life as indicated by high SGRQ at baseline. Pulmonary rehabilitation results in statistically significant improvement in 6MWT, decrease in dyspnea score & improvement in quality of life at 6 & 12 weeks while no improvement was noted in the group not given pulmonary rehabilitation. Pulmonary rehabilitation found to be an effective non-pharmacological intervention for COPD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]