Comorbidity and Pulmonary Rehabilitation in COPD

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is associated not only with respiratory system effects but also with systemic outcomes leading to numerous chronic comorbidities, and it is well known that patients benefit from pulmonary rehabilitation programs. However, the effect of presence of comorbidity on the outcome of pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with COPD is not clear. Therefore, our aim in this study is to determine the distribution of comorbidity in patients with COPD participating in the pulmonary rehabilitation program and to examine the effect of severity of comorbidy on pulmonary rehabilitation outcomes We included a total of 173 patients referred to the Izmir Suat Seren Chest Diseases and Surgery Training and Research Hospital Pulmonary Rehabilitation Unit. Comorbidities were recorded based on self reports. Charlson Comorbid Indexes (CCI) were calculated. Patients who defined at least one comorbidity were divided into two groups according to CCI; 1-3 as Group 1 and 4 and above as Group 2. Six minute walk test, mMRC dyspnea scale, SGRQ Respiratory Disease Questionnaire, respiratory function tests and arterial blood gases performed for assessment of patients before and after 16 sessions of pulmonary rehabilitation program.