Prevalence and characteristics of patients with a diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease participating in non-pulmonary rehabilitation programmes: a brief report.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of people with a diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) among those completing non-pulmonary rehabilitation (NPR) programmes and to describe their characteristics.


METHODS
Electronic data of participants who completed an in-patient rehabilitation programme between July 1, 2010, and July 1, 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. Data extracted were month and year of birth, sex, height, weight, referral source, admission and discharge dates, programme admitted to, reason for admission, most responsible health condition, number of co-morbidities, referral agency on discharge, and Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores on admission and discharge.


RESULTS
The prevalence of COPD among participants who completed the NPR programmes was 7.5%. The most common reasons for admission were cardiac conditions (n=69, 20%), followed by post-unilateral hip replacement (n=40, 11%) and post-unilateral hip fracture (n=38, 11%). Patients were discharged after an average stay of 20 (SD 13) days. The mean FIM score was 91 (SD 11) at admission and 108 (SD 9) at discharge.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of a COPD diagnosis among participants in NPR programmes was 7.5%. COPD is a common comorbidity for people in rehabilitation programmes who have had amputations, have a cardiac condition, have undergone organ transplantation, or require complex care.
Sunnybrook Research Institute, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, St. John's Rehab programme ; Respiratory Medicine, West Park Healthcare Centre ; Department of Physical Therapy.
Tania
T
Janaudis-Ferreira
Sunnybrook Research Institute, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, St. John's Rehab programme.
Lorna
L
D'Souza
Respiratory Medicine, West Park Healthcare Centre ; Department of Physical Therapy.
Dina
D
Brooks
Respiratory Medicine, West Park Healthcare Centre ; Department of Physical Therapy ; Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Totonto, ON.
Roger S
RS
Goldstein
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; prevalence; rehabilitation