Pulmonary rehabilitation and changes in respiratory muscles, aerobic capacity and quality of life in Colombian patients with Interstitial Lung Disease

Abstract

Introduction: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is generated by a heterogeneous group of processes that affects the lung parenchyma, with significant morbidity and mortality. Physiopathologically, it compromises the compliance of the thorax and lung parenchyma, decreasing ventilation and gas exchange, causing fatigue and dyspnea, limiting activities of daily living with subsequent hospitalization. Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) has shown to improve functional capacity and decrease symptoms, improving performance in activities of daily living.

Objective: To identify changes in the strength of the respiratory muscles, exercise tolerance and quality of life in patients with ILD who attended PR.

Materials and methods: Quasi-experimental study in patients with ILD for 8 weeks in PR, based on ATS/ERS 2013 guidelines; exercise tolerance, respiratory muscle strength and quality of life were evaluated. A paired T test was used and a value of p < 0.05 was considered as a significant difference.

Results: 66 patients with ILD, mainly male, with a mean age of 63.5 ± 14.8 years. Table 1 describes the results in respiratory muscle strength, 6-minute walk test and quality of life (p <0.001).

Conclusions: RP significantly improved exercise tolerance, respiratory muscle strength and quality of life. 6MWT 6-Minute Walk Test, MIP Maximal Inspiratory Pressure, MEP Maximal Expiratory Pressure, SGRQ Saint George's Respiratory Questionnaire