Results of an 8-week, outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation program on patients with and without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

PURPOSE: To determine whether there is any difference in the effect of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) on outcomes in patients with and without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS: Retrospective analysis of medical records of all patients enrolling in PR over a 5-year period. RESULTS: A total of 422 patients enrolled in a multidisciplinary PR program from August 1999 to April 2004. Three hundred nine patients had COPD and 113 patients had diagnoses other than COPD. Three hundred seventy-nine patients completed the program. PR was conducted according to currently accepted guidelines. Measurements included the 6-minute walk distance (6MW) performed at the beginning and end of the program and quality of life as determined by the Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire (CRQ) at the beginning and end of the program. Both groups had significant improvements in the 6MW and all domains of the CRQ following PR. There was no significant difference in any of these outcomes between the 2 groups. The baseline forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) was not correlated with improvement in the 6MW in either group. CONCLUSIONS: There is no significant difference in improvement in exercise tolerance or quality of life following PR in COPD versus non-COPD patients. Baseline lung function does not predict improvement in exercise tolerance. PR is effective for patients with disability due to any chronic respiratory disease and not just COPD.