Risk factors as outcome predictors of pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Introduction/Objective. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a primary lung disease. Today, pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is the basis of non-pharmacological treatment of these patients, with numerous confirmed effects on the most significant symptoms of the disease and quality of life (QoL). The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between certain risk factors and the outcome of PR, as well as to determine the percentage of respondents who had a positive outcome of PR. Methods. The study included 500 patients with COPD, determined according to the guidelines of the GOLD, all stages I-IV, in the stable phase of the disease, who completed the outpatient PR program. Disease stage, comorbidities, forced expiratory volume in the first second, 6-minute walk test (6MWT), COPD Assessment Test (CAT) and Medical Research Council dyspnea scale, BODE index, were measured before and after the program. The last four parameters have been observed as risk factors that affect the outcome of PR, but also as parameters by which we monitor the outcome of PR. Results. A successful outcome of PR was achieved by as many as 452 (90.4%) patients. As independent predictors of a positive outcome of PR were determined: lower number of comorbidities, absence of heart failure, higher BMI and CAT ? 10. Conclusions. PR in our group of patients leads to statistically significant improvements in most of the examined subjective and objective parameters, in patients at all stages of the disease.