The effect of inpatient rehabilitation programmes on quality of life in patients with cystic fibrosis: a multi-center study.
BACKGROUND
Disease-specific, multimodal inpatient rehabilitation programmes are designed to improve the physical, emotional, and social functioning of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). This study investigates the effects of a 4-week inpatient rehabilitation program on health-related quality of life (QL).


METHODS
84 German patients with CF (16-62 years of age, FEV1 mean 52.9% of the predicted), participating in an inpatient rehabilitation programme, completed the Questions on Life Satisfaction-Modules (FLZM) at the beginning and one month after the end of intervention. The FLZM allows the multi-dimensional evaluation of subjectively perceived satisfaction with general and health-specific life domains. In addition, medical parameters (FEV1, Body Mass Index) and socio-demographic data were registered.


RESULTS
Compared to the baseline scores, after rehabilitation, participants were significantly more satisfied with general, health-related, and CF-related aspects of their lives. Specifically, improvement was noted in the following items: breathing difficulties/cough, sleep, integration of therapy into daily routine, leisure activities, general health perception, physical condition and being free from anxiety.


CONCLUSIONS
Comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation programmes are a promising strategy to improve the quality of life of adolescent and adult CF-patients.
Schmitz
Tim G
TG
Department of Pediatrics, Schwabing, Technical University Munich, Köner Platz 1, 80804 München, Germany. schmitzt@santa-maria.de
Goldbeck
Lutz
L
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors