The effect of pulmonary rehabilitation on non COPD patients

Introduction : Pulmonary rehabilitation has demonstrated significant improvements among COPD patients. The effect on non COPD patients is less well established. Aims and Objective: We wanted to find out whether pulmonary rehabilitation is also beneficial in non COPD patients. Methods: We collected the data about one hundred and three non COPD patients that participated in pulmonary rehabilitation program in our hospital . The program took place in hospital environment and was run according to the ERS/ATS guidelines on pulmonary rehabilitation. Six minute walk (6MW) test was performed at the beginning of the program and at the end. Saint George Respiratory Questioner (SGRQ) was also performed at the beginning and at the end. Result: We included One hundred and three non COPD patients participated in the program between 2009 to 2013. Seventy three patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD), 23 with Asthma and seven with pulmonary hypertension. All the patients demonstrated significant impressive improvement in 6MW test and in SGRQ. The patients suffering from ILD demonstrated fifty four meters (18.2%) improvement in the 6MW test (P Conclusions: We conclude that pulmonary rehabilitation is effective in interstitial lung disease, asthma and pulmonary hypertension. We believe that pulmonary rehabilitation should be offered to the majority of patients suffering from chronic respiratory disease.