title: [The effects of pulmonary rehabilitation on the quality of life in patients with COPD].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of morbidity, hospitalization and disability among lung diseases. Its chronic, progressive nature and acute exacerbations influence the quality and expectancy of life of COPD patients. The pulmonary rehabilitation is a basic non-pharmacological intervention in COPD and its role is increasing in recent years. The goal of this work was to evaluate the impact on quality of life patients undergoing 3 weeks pulmonary rehabilitation program.
  
  
  METHODS
  132 patients with COPD were admitted to pulmonary rehabilitation program; 70 completed the 3 weeks long program. Pulmonary function tests, exercise endurance, quality of life (St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire) were measured at baseline, 3 weeks, and 3 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was significant improvement in quality of life in St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire and exercise endurance (treadmill) measured at 3 weeks and at 3 months. Parameters of lung function tests did not improved after completion of rehabilitation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  3 weeks pulmonary rehabilitation program of patients with COPD was effective in improving exercise endurance and the quality of life. The improvement was noted as well at 3 months post rehabilitation.
authors.affiliation: Klinika Pneumonologii, Akademia Medyczna w Gdańsku.
authors.forename: Jacek
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Drozdowski
authors.forename: Stanisław
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bakuła
authors.forename: Adrianna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Drozdowska
authors.forename: Krzysztof
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kedziora
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Porzezińska
authors.forename: Jan Marek
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Słomiński
mesh_terms: D017079:Exercise Tolerance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011788:Quality of Life; D013147:Spirometry; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome