TY - JOUR T1 - Impact of pulmonary rehabilitation on quality of life in patients with silica exposure associated with progressive massive fibrosis JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J VL - 44 IS - Suppl 58 SP - P1106 AU - Margarida Redondo AU - Filipa Pires AU - Paula Martins AU - Luis Gaspar AU - Emilia Araujo AU - Agostinho Marques AU - Isabel Gomes Y1 - 2014/09/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/44/Suppl_58/P1106.abstract N2 - Background: Silica exposure associated with progressive massive fibrosis is a severe pneumoconiosis currently uncommon in developed countries and mainly occurring in clusters. Data regarding the impact of a pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) program in these patients is scarce. Objective: To evaluate QoL impact of a PR program in these patients using a generic health questionnaire (SF-36). Methods: Retrospective 5-years study of the patients who attended an outpatient PR program and completed the Portuguese version of the SF-36 questionnaire before and after the PR program. Results: Twelve patients were referred to PR program, although only 6 patients completed the questionnaire before and after the PR program. The patients were male (100%), with a median age of 44.5 years and significant lung function impairment (FEV1 median value of 43.2%). PR program included exercise training, with a median duration of 10.5 weeks. From the beginning to the end of PR program, the median scores for the physical component of the SF-36 questionnaire were: physical function 27.5% to 50% (+22.5%); physical role: 0% to 0% (=); bodily pain: 47.5% to 52% (+4.5%); general health: 24.1% to 22.5% (-1.6%). For the mental component the median scores were: vitality 20% to 40% (+20%); social function 43.7% to 68.7% (+25%); emotional role 0% to 0% (=); mental health 48% to 66% (+16%). Conclusions: Although a positive impact was found in the physical component, more items of the mental component were clearly improved. These data suggests that the scope of positive effects of a PR program in these severely ill patients is beyond the perception of physical related abilities. ER -