Are The Gains Due To Pulmonary Rehabilitation In Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis And Other Interstitial Lung Diseases The Same?

Introduction: In addition to dyspnoea and cough in interstitial lung diseases (ILD),the main symptom is decreased effort capacity.Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR)is recommended in addition to medical treatment approaches in chronic respiratory diseases. PR programs include approaches such as exercise training, patient and family training, nutritional assessment and support, psychosocial assessment and support. COPD patients more often directed to PR programs,besides that PR is also recommended for ILD. In this study,we aimed to evaluate the PR-related gains in patinets with IPF and non-IPF ILD. Methods: In this study we evaluated the PR data,demographic features of the patients with ILD who completed PR program between2017 and 2020. PR was an 8-week (2days) outpatient PR program including aerobic and strengthening exercises. The 6-minute walking test(6MWT)results, quality of life scores that were recorded at the beginning and end of the PR program were evaluated.The patients were evaluated in two groups, patinets with IPF and non-IPF ILD. Results: A total of 41 patients with ILD with mean age 60 ± 10 , 30(73%) males,11 (27%) females,24(59%)IPF patients and 17(41%)non-IPF ILD patients included in the study.The median distance achived in 6MWT was 380(254-489)m before PR in non-IPF ILD group, 440(347-530)m PR after PR(p=0.002).The median distance distance in 6MWT was 321(253-442)m before PR in IPF group, 380(277-447)m after PR (p=0.001)was determined. Conclusion: PR programs provide significant gains both in patints with IPF and non-IPF ILD. It is important that patients should be directed to PR programs in the early stages of ILD.