RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Value of pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis JF European Respiratory Journal JO Eur Respir J FD European Respiratory Society SP P3692 VO 44 IS Suppl 58 A1 Nizar Rifaat A1 Esam Anwar A1 Yosra Mohamed Ali A1 Abdou Ellabban A1 Ali Hasan YR 2014 UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/44/Suppl_58/P3692.abstract AB Background: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic lung condition of uncertain aetiology that afflicts patients with progressive shortness of breath, cough, reduced exercise tolerance and quality of life. This may, at least in part, be due to daily physical inactivity. Therefore symptomatic patients with lung fibrosis may be good candidates for comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) programs. Aim of work: To evaluate the role of PR program in improving the functional status and dyspnea scale in patients with IPF.Material and methods: Thirty patients had IPF, according to the recent consensus statement, were subjected to PR program that mainly consisted of three sessions per week for eight weeks duration. The program basically consisted of upper and lower extremities exercises, breathing exercise, and chest physical therapy. Psychological support and patient education rounded out the program. Pulmonary function, blood gas analysis, Diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide [DLco], 6- minute walking distance (6-MWD), dyspnoea rating with the Modified Borg Scale (MBS) and health-related quality oflife (HRQL) score on the St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) score were evaluated at baseline, after four weeks and at the end of eighth week of the program.Results: There were significant improvement of dyspnea score (P=0.001), 6MWT( P=0.001), % predicted of forced vital capacity (FVC% predicted) (P=0.001) and HRQL assessed by SGRQ score (P=0.001).However, arterial blood gas values and DLco showed no significant improvement at the end of the program.Conclusions: PR improves dyspnea score, exercise capacity and HRQL in patients with IPF.