Abstract
Introduction: Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) has demonstrated, with a high level of evidence (A), that it improves health related quality of life (HRQL) and exercise capacity in COPD patients. However, these benefits can't be sustained for more than a year.
Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of a Maintained PR program (MPR) applied after an outpatient intensive PR program in patients with COPD.
Methods: Multicentre, prospective, randomized three years follow up study of a group of stable COPD patients (<75 years old, BODE 3-10). After 2-month outpatient and intensive PR program, the patients are randomly assigned to two groups. Intervention group (GR1), who performed a domiciliary program similar to the outpatient protocol, received a phone call every 15 days, and attended the hospital once every 15 days in order to control treatment. The Control group (GR2) didn't follow any specific program. The variables analysed were: BODE, six minute walking test (6mwt) and HRQL (CRQ, SF36).
Results: We included 143 patients. After 2 years follow-up, we have lost 67 patients (46%). The mortality was 17%. The losses were similar in both groups. The change for all variables during this period was also similar in both groups except for the distance in the 6mwt.
Six minute walk distance
Conclusion: 1. The losses in this study were high. 2. This MPR is effective in terms of exercise capacity.
Supported by SOCAP 2005-06, Instituto Carlos III (FIS 06/0792) and SEPAR 2008.
- © 2011 ERS
