五家渠地区慢性阻塞性肺疾病稳定期患者吸入药物治疗现状及影响因素分析

目的 了解本地区慢性阻塞性肺疾病(简称慢阻肺)患者中C、D级患者在稳定期吸入长效抗胆碱能受体药物(LAMA)、长效支气管舒张剂/吸入激素联合制剂(LABA/ICS)治疗的现状,对影响治疗的各种因素进行分析,并从此入手提出解决方案,提高遵循GOLD(慢性阻塞性肺疾病全球倡议)指南规范化治疗慢阻肺的执行力.方法 选择就诊我...     

Bronchodilator reversibility in Australian adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract Background and aims: Bronchodilator reversibility (BDR) and inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) use were assessed for volunteers who responded to an advertisement requesting current or ex‐smokers who were experiencing breathlessness to attend for lung function testing. Methods: One hundred and fifty‐four volunteers responded. Forced expiratory volume (FEV₁) was measured before and after 400 µg of salbutamol. Significant BDR was assessed according to guidelines of: (i) the American Thoracic Society (≥12% plus 200 mL of baseline FEV₁ or forced vital capacity), (ii) the British ­Thoracic Society (BTS) (≥15% plus 200 mL of baseline FEV₁), (iii) the European Thoracic Society (≥10% predicted FEV₁), and (iv) the most commonly used criteria in Australia and New Zealand (≥15% of baseline FEV₁). Results: One hundred and twenty‐three subjects (33 female; 40 current smokers; median pack years 48 (range 5?144)) were suitable for analysis (i.e. had no history of asthma, demonstrable airflow limitation and a forced expiratory ratio (FER) of <70%). Twenty (16%) patients had an FEV₁ within the normal range but FER of <70%, 24 (20%) patients had mild disease (FEV₁ 60?80% predicted), 31 (24%) patients had moderate disease (FEV₁ 40?59% predicted), and 48 (39%) patients had severe disease (FEV₁ <40% predicted), according to BTS criteria. Significant BDR was evident in: (i) 58 (47%) subjects by American criteria, (ii) 26 (21%) subjects by British criteria, (iii) 19 (15%) subjects by European criteria and (iv) 36 (29%) subjects by Australasian criteria. ICS use was reported by 71 (58%) subjects overall and was weakly, but significantly, related to poorer FEV₁ (r = ?0.2; P < 0.01), and greater BDR (r = 0.3; P < 0.005). Conclusion: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Australian volunteers with no history of asthma encompasses many individuals with significant BDR. Interestingly, most volunteers reported ICS use and this was related to poorer spirometry and greater BDR. However, until the underlying immuno­pathology has been determined they cannot be assumed to have ‘asthma’ or even an ‘asthmatic element’. (Intern Med J 2003; 33: 572?577)     

肺康复治疗对稳定期COPD患者肺功能及血气分析的影响

目的探讨肺康复治疗对稳定期慢性阻塞性肺疾病（COPD）患者肺功能及血气分析的影响。方法将80例稳定期COPD患者随机分为肺康复组（n=40）与对照组（n=40）,肺康复组给予体能锻炼、呼吸肌锻炼、氧疗、心理与行为干预等肺康复治疗措施,治疗6～8周,治疗前后测定肺功能及血气分析,比较两组患者肺功能及血气分析的变化。结果观察组治疗后肺功能、血气分析较治疗前及对照组治疗后均显著改善（P〈0．01）。结论肺康复治疗可提高稳定期COPD患者肺功能及血气分析,从而提高患者的生存质量。     

孟鲁司特在慢性阻塞性肺疾病稳定期患者中的应用

目的观察孟鲁司特(顺尔宁)对稳定期慢性阻塞性肺疾病(简称慢阻肺)患者呼吸困难和肺功能的作用。方法 70例稳定期慢阻肺病人,随机分为治疗组(35例)和对照组(35例)两组,给予相同的基础治疗,治疗组同时加用孟鲁司特10mg,每晚1次,疗程3个月。观察两组治疗前与治疗后1、3、6个月肺功能变化、呼吸困难和急性发作情况。结果治疗组患者治疗1个月后,分钟最大通气量占预计值百分比(MVV/预计值)、用力肺活量(FVC)、一秒量占预计值的百分比(FEV_1/预计值)、一秒率(FEV_1/FVC)明显高于治疗前(均P0.01);而在开始治疗3、6个月后与治疗1个月后的肺功能各项指标对比无显著差异(均P0.05);对照组患者治疗前与治疗后各项肺功能指标亦有明显改善(均P0.05);治疗后治疗组与对照组比较,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);而且在观察期间治疗组的呼吸困难改善好于对照组,急性发作次数低于对照组(P0.05)。结论慢阻肺稳定期患者常规治疗基础上口服孟鲁司特能更好地改善肺功能,更好地缓解呼吸困难症状,同时还能减少患者急性发作的次数。     

Systemic inflammatory response to exhaustive exercise in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Systemic inflammation may be present in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Exercise is known to elicit an inflammatory response. We hypothesized that the systemic inflammatory response to exercise might be exaggerated in COPD patients compared to healthy subjects. Sixteen COPD patients and 11 healthy subjects performed a maximal incremental bicycle test. Before and at maximal exercise arterial blood samples were taken to determine circulating catecholamines, (subsets of) leukocytes, acute phase proteins, creatine kinase and myoglobin. At rest, increased levels of norepinephrine and systemic inflammation were present in COPD. The response of catecholamines to exercise was lower in COPD patients (P<0.01), which in part was due to the lower maximal exercise capacity of these patients (P<0.01). Exercise-induced leukocytosis showed similar responses in both groups, but occurred at higher levels in COPD. Although patients had increased levels of CRP at rest (P<0.001), exercise did not affect acute phase proteins. No systemic signs of muscle damage were found. The present study shows that COPD patients are exposed to systemic inflammation that is intensified by exhaustive exercise. The inflammatory response in COPD is not exaggerated compared to healthy subjects but occurs at a higher level and is observed at lower external workload.     

CAT和HAD评价慢性阻塞性肺疾病稳定期患者焦虑、抑郁状态相关的比较

目的分析稳定期慢阻肺疾病患者的HAD和CAT相关性。方法从740例稳定期慢阻肺患者中,通过问卷形式,统计患者HAD和CAT评分,对于符合HAD》11分,同时满足排除标准的患者在进行统计相关性分析。结果共有74人符合本次研究的规定,其焦虑、抑郁发病率为10%。当中,男性56人,年龄(67士12)岁,焦虑、抑郁发病率:9.6%;女性18人,年龄(75士10)岁,焦虑、抑郁发病率:11.25%。焦虑和抑郁评分作为因变量,通过Pearson分析:其中CAT组相关系数r分别为0.76、0.61,P0.01,提示CAT和HAD呈强正相关,年龄组r=0.243,P=0.062;r=0.156、P=0.189,和HAD无统计学意义;FEV_1组相关系数r=-0.3、P0.05;r=-0.25、P0.05,提示和HAD呈弱负相关。结论 CAT评分和HAD评分有着密切的关联,既可以通过它反应患者的焦虑、抑郁等心理状态,又能反应慢阻肺患者健康相关生活质量,临床上操作简单,同时患者接受度高。     

Lipid profile and atherogenic indices in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background and aimsLimited number of studies investigated lipid profile in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with inconsistent results. This study aimed to investigate lipid parameters in sera of patients with stable COPD and their associations with disease severity, smoking, comorbidities and therapy.Methods and resultsThe study included 137 COPD patients and 95 controls. Triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were assessed. Non-HDL-C (NHC), atherogenic coefficient (AC), TG/HDL-C, atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), Castelli's risk index I and II (CRI-I, CRI-II), and monocyte to HDL ratio (MHR) were calculated.HDL-C and MHR were increased, while other lipid parameters and indices were decreased in COPD patients compared to healthy individuals. Smoking did not influence lipid parameters. However, lipid profile was altered only in more severe disease stages. AC, CRI-I and CRI-II showed positive association with lung function parameters in COPD patients, and negative with COPD multicomponent indices (ADO, BODCAT, BODEx, CODEx and DOSE). Combined model that included CRI-II, C-reactive protein, fibrinogen and white blood cells showed great diagnostic performances, and correctly classified 72% of study participants with an AUC of 0.800 (0.742–0.849), P < 0.001. Bronchodilator monotherapy and statins have opposite impact on TC, LDL-C and NHC, while TG, TG/HDL-C and AIP were increased in COPD patients with cardiovascular diseases.ConclusionLipid disbalance is present in COPD, and it seems to occur later as the disease progresses. Further studies are needed to illuminate the underlying mechanism of dyslipidaemia.     

戒烟对稳定期慢性阻塞性肺疾病的治疗作用

目的探讨戒烟对稳定期COPD的治疗作用。方法纳入2011年7月-2013年7月经福建医科大学附属泉州第一医院肺功能室检查确诊的稳定期COPD患者193例,按是否采用戒烟治疗及最终完成情况分为戒烟成功组、戒烟失败组及非戒烟组：戒烟成功亚组62例,均为男性,平均年龄为（60．82±5．63）岁,平均吸烟指数为（852±100）年·支;戒烟失败亚组36例,均为男性,平均年龄为（60．61±4．91）岁,平均吸烟指数为（812±139）年·支;非戒烟组95例,均为男性,平均年龄为（60．49±8．77）岁,平均吸烟指数为（833土143）年·支。采用FEV。为肺功能评价指标,CAT评分为COPD病情评价指标。进行为期半年的随访。结果各试验组患者在年龄、体质量指数及吸烟指数等方面差异无统计学意义。戒烟成功组患者治疗后体质量增加（2．85±1．27）kg,CAT评分下降（6．05±2．60）分,戒烟前后对比差异有统计学意义（t值分别为17．763、18．351,P值均d0．01）;FEV,增加（O．04±0．18）L,戒烟前后对比差异无统计学意义（t=1．900,P=0．062）。而戒烟失败组及未戒烟组治疗前后体质量、CAT评分及FEV,变化差异均无统计学意义（P值均〉0．05）。结论戒烟半年即对稳定期COPD具有=定的治疗作用,主要表现在体质量增加、临床症状减轻,而肺功能则无明显改善。     

The paradoxical response to short-acting bronchodilator administration in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

BackgroundThere are a few studies about paradoxical bronchodilator response (BDR), which means a decrease in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁) or forced vital capacity (FVC) after short-acting bronchodilator administration in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We evaluated the effect of paradoxical BDR on the clinical outcomes of COPD patients in South Korea.MethodsWe analyzed the KOrea COpd Subgroup Study team (KOCOSS) cohort data in South Korea between January 2012 and December 2017. BDR was defined as at least a 12% and 200-mL reduction in FEV₁ or FVC after bronchodilator administration.ResultsA total of 1,991 patients were included in this study. A paradoxical BDR was noted in 57 (2.9%) patients and was independently associated with worse dyspnea and poor quality of life. High C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were associated with a paradoxical BDR (OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.01–1.09; P=0.003). However, paradoxical BDR was not associated with severe acute exacerbations. Pre-bronchodilator FEV₁ (L) showed a higher area under the curve (AUC) for predicting severe acute exacerbations than the post-bronchodilator FEV₁ (L) in the paradoxical BDR group (0.788 vs. 0.752).ConclusionA paradoxical reduction of FEV₁ or FVC after bronchodilator administration may be associated with chronic inflammation in the airway and independently associated with worse respiratory symptoms and poor quality of life.     

噻托溴铵治疗COPD稳定期的疗效观察

目的探讨噻托溴铵治疗COPD稳定期的临床疗效。方法选取我院COPD稳定期的患者64例,分为观察组与对照组,各32例,观察组使用噻托溴铵治疗,对照组使用常规治疗,观察比较两组患者的治疗效果、不良反应发生率,并比较治疗前后急性加重次数,治疗前和治疗后2周末、4周末、8周末、16周末、24周末的FEV1和FEV1/FVC的值。结果观察组治疗总有效率为90.6%(29/32),不良反应发生率为6.3%(2/32),对照组治疗总有效率为68.8%(22/32),不良反应发生率为3.1%(1/32),两组治疗总有效率比较有明显差异(P<0.05),具有统计学意义。结论噻托溴铵在治疗COPD稳定期的临床疗效显著,明显优于常规治疗。     

Clinical evaluation of nebulized verapamil in out‐patients with pulmonary hypertension secondary to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

ObjectiveChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with many health complications, including pulmonary hypertension (PH). Although oral calcium channel blockers have shown promising results in managing COPD‐induced PH, significant systemic side effects may limit their use in this population. Administering verapamil through nebulization can be an alternative approach. We aim to assess the possible therapeutic effects of verapamil inhalation in out‐patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) secondary to COPD.MethodsA double‐blind, randomized placebo‐controlled clinical trial was conducted. Patients with PH were randomly assigned to two groups of 15 participants. The intervention group received a short‐term single dose of 10 mg nebulized verapamil (4 ampoules of 2.5 mg/ml verapamil solutions). The control group received nebulized distilled water as a placebo in addition to their standard treatment throughout the study.ResultsSystolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP) did not improve as a primary outcome significantly in patients receiving nebulized verapamil compared with those on placebo (p = 0.89). Spirometry results showed a significant improvement in FVC in the intervention group from 1.72 ± 0.63 to 1.85 ± 0.58 L (p = 0.00), and FEV1/FVC ratio decreased significantly after verapamil administration (p = 0.027).ConclusionVerapamil did not improve any of the pulmonary artery or RV parameters in patients with COPD‐associated, but it did improve SpO₂ and increase FVC, which revealed us possibility of verapamil in treating V/Q mismatch. The improved gas exchange may have been due to improvements in FVC as reflected in the improved spirometry. Higher doses of verapamil may be more efficacious and can be the subject of future trials.     

联合吸入福莫特罗和布地奈德干粉剂对稳定期COPD的疗效观察

目的观察中重度COPD稳定期患者联合吸入福莫特罗和布地奈德干粉剂的临床疗效。方法48例中重度COPD稳定期患者随机分为2组,治疗组（n=24）联合吸入长效B2受体激动剂福莫特罗和糖皮质激素布地奈德。对照组（n=24）为空白对照组,不吸入福莫特罗和布地奈德。观察2组用药12周后肺功能的变化,StGeorge’s呼吸问卷（SGRQ）等情况,通过六分钟步行试验（6MWT）观察运动耐力的变化以及随访3—6个月急性加重的人次、住院人次。结果用药12周后治疗组FEV1、FVC、最大肺活量（FVC）、FEV1／FVC及FEV1占预计值（％）比对照组明显改善,2组比较差异有显著性（P〈0．05）,治疗组运动耐力（6MWT）增加,随访3～6个月治疗组急性加重人次明显减少,与对照组比较差异有显著性（P〈0．05）。结论联合吸入长效β2受体激动剂福莫特罗和糖皮质激素布地奈德可以改善稳定期中重度COPD患者肺功能与运动耐力,减少急性加重的发作,副反应少,值得临床进一步推广。     

Cardiac response to exercise in mild-to-moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Objective Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （COPD） increases the risk of cardiovascular problem.The symptom of dyspnea on exertion may be associated with pulmonary dysfunction or heart failure, or both. The study objective was to determine whether cardiac dysfunction adds to the mechanism of dyspnea caused mainly by impaired lung function in patients with mild-tomoderate COPD. Methods Patients with COPD and healthy controls performed incremental and constant work rate exercise testing. Venous blood samples were collected in 19 COPD patients and 10 controls before and during constant work exercise for analysis of Nterminal-pro-BNP （NT-pro-BNP）. Results Peak oxygen uptake and constant work exercise time （CWET） were significantly lower in COPD group than in control group （15.81±3.65 vs 19.19±6.16 ml/min kg, P=0.035 and 7.78±6.53 min vs 14.77±7.33 rain, P=0.015, respectively）. Anaerobic threshold, oxygen pulse and heart rate reserve were not statistically significant between COPD group and control group. The NT-pro-BNP levels both at rest and during constant work exercise were higher in COPD group compared to control group, but without statistical significance. The correlations between CWET and NT-proBNP at rest or during exercise in patients with COPD were not statistically significant. Conclusions Heart failure does not contribute to exercise intolerance in mild-to-moderate COPD.（J Geriatr Cardioi 2009; 6：147-150）.     

Factors influencing short-term re-admission and one-year mortality in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Fourteen day re-admission rates are deemed to be an important indicator of the quality of medical care for COPD in Taiwan. This study identified the characteristics of patients with COPD who required short-term re-admission and analysed the risk factors for 1-year mortality. METHODS: Consecutive patients with COPD who were re-admitted to hospital within 14 days of discharge and a random computer generated selection of patients with COPD not re-admitted within 14 days of discharge were recruited to the study and their medical data collected from hospital records. Recruitment occurred over an 18-month period. RESULTS: Fifty patients were recruited to each group. Multivariate analysis revealed statistically significant differences in oral steroid use (P = 0.013) and FEV1 (P = 0.04) between the re-admission group and non-re-admission group. Of the many variables assessed, risk of death within 1 year of discharge was significantly associated with re-admission within 14 days alone (P = 0.02; odds ratio = 15.01). CONCLUSION: COPD patients using long-term oral corticosteroids and with a low FEV1 are at risk of re-admission with 14 days of hospital discharge, and medical care of these patients warrants much greater attention.     

The volumetric response to bronchodilators in stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

A significant proportion of patients with COPD show post-bronchodilator improvement in lung volume even though this response is rarely considered when classifying subjects as having reversible or irreversible airway disease. We studied 266 patients with a clinical and physiological diagnosis of COPD who underwent pulmonary function testing and had their spirometric response to 5 mg salbutamol assessed. After the bronchodilator 125 (47%) patients increased their forced vital capacity by more than the known variability of the test while 60 (23%) showed only a volume response without improvement in expiratory flow. These 'volume responders' had greater degrees of airflow obstruction-lower FEV(1) (p < 0.001) and FEV(1)/FVC (p < 0.05)-and a higher residual volume at rest (p = 0.005) with similar degrees of emphysema measured by K(CO). Subjects with evidence of greater dynamic airway collapse, assessed by the ratio of early to mid expiratory flow, were less likely to have a flow response but more likely to have a volume response after salbutamol (p < 0.005). This would be compatible with volume response being commoner in patients who exhibit tidal expiratory flow limitation. We suggest that post-bronchodilator absolute change in FVC provides important additional physiological information when interpreting bronchodilator reversibility testing.     

Better adherence to a transdermal tulobuterol patch than inhaled salmeterol in elderly chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients

Background: Inhaled long‐acting β2‐agonists (LABA) are often poorly adhered to by elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We hypothesized that older age and compromised cognitive function might contribute to poor adherence to inhaled medications among COPD patients, and that transdermally delivered medications could improve adherence, exercise tolerance and quality of life (QOL). Objective: To compare adherence and effects on health outcomes between transdermal and inhaled LABA. Methods: A total of 44 treatment‐naïve, elderly Japanese patients with moderate‐to‐severe COPD were treated with a transdermal tulobuterol patch (TP; 2 mg, once a day) or inhaled salmeterol (50 µg, twice a day) in a randomized crossover manner. The primary outcomes were adherence to the LABA medications and changes in QOL measured by the St George's Respiratory Questionnaire. Secondary outcomes were changes in 6‐min walk distance (6MWD) and spirometric values. Results: The overall adherence rate was 90.3 ± 1.6% for TP and 75.5 ± 2.9% for salmeterol (P < 0.001). Adherence to salmeterol was correlated with age and Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE) score (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively), although that to TP was relatively constant regardless of age and MMSE score. 6MWD and QOL were significantly improved from baseline after TP, but not after salmeterol treatment (P < 0.05). Similar degrees of increase in spirometric values occurred after treatment with TP and salmeterol. Conclusions: Adherence levels were higher overall with TP than with inhaled salmeterol, and more stable across age groups and MMSE levels. TP might be a favorable treatment option for COPD patients with poor adherence to an inhaled LABA. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2013; 13: 398–404 .     

氧化／抗氧化失衡在COPD稳定期慢性肺损伤的机制研究

目的探讨稳定期不同级别COPD患者血清中氧化／抗氧化因子及细胞炎症因子水平与肺功能主要指标的关系。方法选取COPD稳定期患者80例,检测各患者肺功能与血清中反应性氧核素（ROS）、超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）及细胞炎症因子水平,观测各组的差异并分析其相关性。结果FEV1、FVC、FEV1／FVC、SOD、ROS、TNF．d、IL-8、GM—CSF水平在不同组别中存在差异（P〈0．05）,ROS、TNF-a、IL-8、GM—CSF水平与FEV1,FVC、FEV1／FVC存在着明显的负相关（P〈0．05）,SOD与其存在明显正相关（P〈0．05）。结论COPD细胞炎症因子的持续升高及氧化加重可能是引起稳定期COPD肺组织慢性损伤、功能降低的重要机制。     

信必可治疗稳定期COPD的疗效观察

目的观察吸入信必可[布地奈德/福莫特罗干粉剂（160/4.5μg）]对稳定期Ⅱ~Ⅲ级COPD患者的临床疗效。方法将明确诊断的60例COPD病人随机分为治疗组和对照组,治疗组给予吸入布地奈德/福莫特罗干粉剂;对照组予茶碱缓释片口服;疗程为6个月。治疗前后进行肺功能指标测定。结果治疗前,治疗组和对照组的FEV1/FVC和FEV1/预计值的差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。治疗结束时,治疗组FEV1/FVC和FEV1/预汁值较治疗前均有显著提高（P〈0.05）;对照组FEV1/FVC和FEV1/预计值与治疗前的差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。结论布地奈德/福莫特罗干粉吸入剂能够改善稳定期Ⅱ~Ⅲ级COPD患者的肺功能和生活质量,降低住院率。     

Outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Objective

To evaluate an entirely outpatient-based program of pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD, using St.George’s Respiratory questionnaire (SGRQ), the 6-minutes walking test (6-MWT) and BODE index as the primary outcome measures.

Methods

A prospective, parallel-group controlled study of an outpatient rehabilitation program in 80 patients with COPD (67 men and 13 women; mean age 64.8 ± 10.6 years; FEV₁, 42.8% ± 7.6% of the predicted value. The active group (n = 40) took part in a 14-week rehabilitation program [3 h/wk, 1.5 h of education and exercise and 1.5 h of cycling]. The control group (n = 40) was reviewed routinely as medical outpatients. The following evaluations were carried out at study entry and after14 weeks: (1) pulmonary function studies; (2) 6-minutes walking test 6MWT; (3) quality of life; and (4) BODE index.

Results

The following patients completed the study: 35 patients (87.5%) from the active group (mean age, 63.7 ± 11.9 years; mean forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁), 41.9 ± 2.6% of the predicted value); and 36 patients (88%) from the control group (mean age, 65.9 ± 10.3 years; mean FEV₁, 43.33 ± 3.6% of the predicted value). We found no changes in pulmonary function parameters in the active group and the control one at 14weeks. On the other hand, there were significant changes within the components of the SGRQ (12.3 for the score total) for the patients of the active group but not for the patients of the control one (only 1.5 for the score total), we observed also a significant increase in the distance of the 6-MWT in the patients of the active group but not for the patients of the control one, and finally a decrease of two points (from 6 to 4) was noted in the score of the active group’s BODE index without any change in the control group’s one.

Conclusion

An outpatient-based of 14-week rehabilitation program significantly improved the quality of life and exercise tolerance without any change in the pulmonary function in patients with moderate COPD, and there was also a large decrease in the risk of death in rehabilitated patients as measured using the BODE index.