title: Improving exercise tolerance and quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
abstract: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the fourth leading cause of mortality in the United States. Its symptoms, comorbidities, and sequelae also result in high morbidity and healthcare costs. The impact of progressive dyspnea, fatigue, exercise intolerance, and recurrent exacerbations in patients with COPD can be devastating to their quality of life. Un-addressed, these symptoms often result in depression and social isolation, causing further decline in exercise tolerance and functional performance. Assessing the physiologic, pharmacologic, and psychosocial factors that influence these elements can be challenging in the primary care setting. The present article describes a practical approach to assess functional performance and outlines pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic strategies-particularly self-management education and pulmonary rehabilitation-to improve quality of life indicators.
authors.affiliation: Akron General Medical Center, 400 Wabash Ave, Akron, OH 44307-2433, USA. mbelfer@agmc.org
authors.forename: Mark H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Belfer
authors.forename: Jane Z
authors.initials: JZ
authors.lastname: Reardon
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D017079:Exercise Tolerance; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014797:Vital Capacity
chemical_list: D001993:Bronchodilator Agents