TY - JOUR T1 - Evolution of functional capacity and health status 2 years after a pulmonary rehabilitation programme JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J VL - 40 IS - Suppl 56 SP - P1473 AU - Vanda Areias AU - Dalila Ferreira AU - Ana Martins AU - Isabel Matias AU - Flávia Negrinho AU - Fátima Rodrigues Y1 - 2012/09/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/P1473.abstract N2 - Background: Pulmonary rehabilitation programs (PRP) have been shown to improve exercise capacity and health status and to reduce dyspnoea and healthcare resources use, in patients (pts) with chronic lung disease. These benefits have been shown to last for up to 9 months, however appear to decline by 12 months.Aim: Evaluate functional exercise capacity and health status after PRP in pts followed in “respiratory failure day hospital”.Methods: Retrospective study of pts integrated in a PRP. After PRP, pts who kept a physically active lifestyle (at least 3 walks of 30 minutes/week) were included in the active group (AG). The others were considered as control group (CG). Were analyzed demographic characteristics, pulmonary pathology, six-minute walk test (6MWT) and St. George's respiratory questionnaire (SGRQ).Results: Thirty-two pts were included, 24 in the AG and 8 in the CG. 81% of the pts had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, with mean FEV1 of 42%.Immediately after PRP, there was a significant improvement in the 6MWD and SGRQ global score, in both groups. After completing PRP, there was a decline in the mean 6MWD when evaluated at 6 months, 1 and 2 years as well as in SGRQ score. However, after 2 years, the AG continued to show an average improvement of 32m in the 6MWD and at least 4 points in SGRQ comparing with pre-PRP, although in the CG, there was a clinically significant decline in 6MWD (-34m) and SGRQ score (13 points).Conclusion: Despite the progressive decrease of benefits after completing PRP in the AG, these are still significantly positive 2 years after training, which does not happen in the CG. Active lifestyle seems to contribute to maintain the benefits of PRP. ER -