Is a pulmonary rehabilitation program effective in COPD patients with chronic hypercapnic failure?

ABSTRACT

Objectives: Our study aimed to compare the effectiveness of a pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) program between hypercapnic and normocapnic patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods: Hypercapnic (Group 1) and normocapnic (Group 2) patients with COPD who participated in this study underwent a comprehensive 8-week out-patient PR program.

Results: A total of 122 patients were enrolled in the study; (n:86, n:36 groups 1 and 2, respectively.) After PR, both groups had better symptom scores as well as physical, social and emotional functioning. In addition, the groups had reduced dyspnea, anxiety and depression scores. After PR, the hypercapnic group improved significantly more in exercise capacity (∆6 MWT 50 m. vs 40 m.) compared with normocapnic patients (p=0.044). The hypercapnic group demonstrated a significant reduction in the PaCO₂ levels after PR within (p<0.05) and between groups (p<0.0001).

Conclusions: Given the significant reductions in pCO₂ levels and significant increases in exercise capacity and QoL parameters after PR, the patients with chronic hypercapnic failure apparently benefited from the PR.

KEYWORDS:

• COPD
• pulmonary rehabilitation
• hypercapnia
• pulmonary function tests
• QoL

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.