The Effects of Rehabilitation Program on Exercise Tolerance and Quality of Life in Patients With COPD, Complicated by Pulmonary Artery Hypertensio

Abstract

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of rehabilitation program on exercise tolerance and quality of life (QOL) in Russian COPD patients complicated by pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH). METHODS: 45 patients with COPD, complicated by PAH were studied. All patients were men (mean age 65±12 years). All patients underwent clinical, instrumental and laboratory examination. The effects of rehabilitation program where evaluated 12 weeks after baseline measurements in terms of exercise tolerance and QOL. Exercise tolerance was assessed using 6 min walking test (6MWT). Breathlessness was estimated by Borg scale. QOL was evaluated by St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). The complex rehabilitation program included standard medication treatment, oxygen supplemental, aerobic exercise training and breathing control techniques. All patients were included in smoking cessation and educational programs. RESULTS: We revealed significant increase in the 6MWT, distance walked passing from 210±65 m to 278±54 m (p0.001) and total SGRQ score passing from 60±11 to 53±11 (p0.01). Also we found significant decrease in breathlessness, Borg scale score after 6MWT passing from 4.8±1.1 to 3.5±0.8 (p 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that 12 weeks rehabilitation program in Russian patients with COPD complicated by PAH improves exercise tolerance and QOL. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Patients with COPD complicated by PAH should be included in rehabilitation program.