A simple pulmonary rehabilitation program improves health outcomes and reduces hospital utilization in patients with COPD.
OBJECTIVE
A prospective longitudinal study to investigate if a simple outpatient-based pulmonary rehabilitation program (PRP) can improve health outcome and hospital utilization in patients with COPD.


METHODS
Patients with COPD and FEV(1) < 60% predicted.


METHODS
Outpatient physiotherapy department at a district general hospital (Fairfield Hospital, Sydney, Australia).


METHODS
Completion of a simple PRP.


RESULTS
Thirty-six patients with COPD completed the PRP. Improved exercise endurance (mean +/- SD 6-min walking distance increased from 333 +/- 76 to 423 +/- 107 m [p < 0.001]), reduced dyspnea scale, and improved quality-of-life measurements were found. There was no improvement in lung functions (FEV(1) preprogram mean, 0.97 +/- 0.43 L; postprogram mean, 0.96 +/- 0.42 L). In the 12 months following completion of program, hospitalization and length of stay were reduced compared to prior to starting the program (preprogram, 7.4 days; postprogram, 3.3 days; p < 0.005).


CONCLUSIONS
A simple, low-cost, outpatient PRP was able to improve health outcome for patients with COPD. Hospital utilization and health cost were reduced as well.
Hui
Kok P
KP
Department of Medicine, Changi General Hospital, Singapore.
Hewitt
Alison B
AB
D000368:Aged; D005080:Exercise Test; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D017079:Exercise Tolerance; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006761:Hospitals / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D013997:Time Factors; D016138:Walking