Pulmonary rehabilitation slows the decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 second and improves body mass index in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

BackgroundChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is characterized by persistent airflow limitation that is usually progressive leading to disability with an increasing burden to the patient, his family and to the health services. Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is used as a complementary evidence-based effective treatment option for patients with COPD. This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of PR on the rate of forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) decline in patients with stable COPD.Patients and methodsEighty five COPD patients completed the study, 60 with a mean age of 63 ± 7 years underwent PR for 3 years and 25 with a mean age of 62 ± 5.4 received only pharmacological treatment according to guidelines. Pulmonary function testing and body mass index (BMI) were carried out for all patients upon enrollment and at 1 year intervals for 3 years.ResultsThe FEV1 decreased from 1246.8 ml (46.9% of predicted value) to 1192.8 ml (44.8% of predicted) in the PR group, while in the control group the FEV1 decreased from 1224.6 ml (45.4% of predicted) to 1060 ml (39.3% of predicted) (i.e., FEV1 declined 54 ml versus 164.6, respectively, p = 0.008). Also, the PR group showed an improvement in BMI, while in the control group a decreased BMI was noticed (p = 0.001).ConclusionPulmonary rehabilitation resulted in slowing down the decline in FEV1, as well as improving BMI in patients with stable COPD.