Article

OBJECTIVE: To assess the outcomes of a 6-month comprehensive multidisciplinary
outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation programme in patients with chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease according to age. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study.
PATIENTS: A total of 140 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) 3-4) admitted to
our centre for pulmonary rehabilitation. METHODS: Patients were divided into 3
groups: group A (< 65 years), group B (65-74 years) and group C (>/= 75 years).
All the patients received an education and individualized training programme.
Pulmonary rehabilitation efficacy was evaluated at 6 months of treatment and 12
months post-treatment. RESULTS: A total of 116 patients completed the pulmonary
rehabilitation programme: 59 in group A (85.5%), 40 in group B (80%) and 17 in
group C (80.9%). All the parameters studied (number of sessions, 6-min walking
distance, isometric quadriceps strength, health-related quality of life, maximal
load, peak oxygen uptake, maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures) were
significantly improved in each of the groups at 3 and 6 months compared with
baseline. Moreover, percentage changes from baseline at 6 months for all of the
parameters studied were not significantly different between age-groups.
CONCLUSION: Pulmonary rehabilitation is efficient in elderly patients with severe
and very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and their compliance with
pulmonary rehabilitation was similar to that seen in younger groups. Therefore,
elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease should not be denied
pulmonary rehabilitation.

Langue : ANGLAIS