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Clinical InvestigationsCopdA Simple Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program Improves Health Outcomes and Reduces Hospital Utilization in Patients With COPD
Section snippets
Materials and Methods
Patients were referred to the program by specialists, general physicians, or general practitioners. The program was conducted by a physiotherapist, and patients attended twice a week for 8 weeks of the PRP. Patients with COPD and FEV1 < 60% predicted or limitation of exertion by dyspnea were enrolled into the program. Exclusion criteria were severe cardiovascular disease or other comorbidities that limited exercise. The program consisted of increasing exercise endurance training, as well as
Patient Demographics
Consecutive patients with COPD who attended the first 18 months after commencement of the program were analyzed. During that time, 42 patients were enrolled. All patients had COPD, and one patient had coexisting asbestosis. Six patients dropped out, and data from the remaining 36 patients who completed the program were analyzed. Demographic characteristics are shown in Table 1.
Lung Functions, QOL, and Exercise Capacity
At the end of the program, there were no significant changes in lung functions. However, 6MWD increased significantly
Discussion
Multidisciplinary PRPs have been shown to benefit patients with COPD. Our results showed that a simple PRP was able to improve exercise capacity as well as health outcome and QOL in patients with COPD. Although our study was not a randomized control trial, the results were consistent with previous randomized controlled trials using more comprehensive multidisciplinary PRPs. In addition, episodes of hospitalization and LOS were reduced for 12 months after completion of program.
Improvement in
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