Dyspnea and quality of life in patients with pulmonary fibrosis after six weeks of respiratory rehabilitation

Abstract

The aim of the study was to estimate the level of dyspnea and quality of life in patients with pulmonary fibrosis after 6 weeks' respiratory rehabilitation. The study comprised of 31 patients (F/M-12/19) with interstitial lung diseases (21 with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia, 4 with lung fibrosis due to allergic alveolitis, 4 with lung fibrosis due to collagenosis, 2 with lung fibrosis due to silicosis) who successfully finished the rehabilitation program. Each patient underwent an intensive (every day for 30 min) inpatient pulmonary rehabilitation program of an average length of 4 wk, continued later at home for up to 12 wk. The program consisted of respiratory muscle training and bicycle riding to the limits of the patient's tolerance. Dyspnea (MRC, OCD, BDI and Borg scale) and the quality of live (SF-36, St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire) were assessed at the time of admission and discharge. Rehabilitation caused dyspnea sensation to diminish (Borg scale: 2.97 before vs. 2.19 after). Some domains of the quality of life in SF-36 questionnaire (Role-Physical 40.6 vs. 60.2) and St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (activity: 52 vs. 45, impact 47 vs. 40 and total 47 vs. 42) also were improved compared with the pre-rehabilitation results. We conclude that 12 weeks of combined inpatient and home-based rehabilitation programme improves the quality of live and sensation of dyspnea in patients with interstitial lung disease, despite changes in pulmonary function tests.