Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine whether gender impacts change in outcome following pulmonary rehabilitation (PR). The records of 241 COPD patients who underwent a hospital-based, 8-week outpatient PR programme were reviewed. All patients received upper and lower extremity exercise training and self-managed education. Pre- and post-outcome measurements included 6-minute walk distance (6MWD), self-reported Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire (CRQ-SR), unsupported armlifts/minute (UAL), Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale for anxiety (HADS-A) and depression (HADS-D), before and after PR. Mean age was 69±9 years; 49% were females; mean FEV1 was 49% of predicted. Oucomes measures are shown in the following table:
Patients in both genders showed significant improvement in all outcome measures. Change in UALs were similar in both genders (p=0.8); females showed greater increase in 6MWD (p=0.01) and CRQ-SR score (p=0.07). Pre-PR HADS-A scores were significantly higher in females (p=0.0009). Females showed greater reduction in HADS-D scores following PR (p=0.02). These data indicate that female COPD patients show greater improvement in outcome areas of exercise capacity, depression and quality of life following PR.
- © 2011 ERS