[Pulmonary rehabilitation in COPD]

COPD as a widespread disease will need much more attention of all health care providers in future. Otherwise COPD could lead to increasing costs, especially caused by the systemic nature of this disease and the large number of comorbidities as well as an increase of morbidity with reduced personal fitness and quality of life. As a result, the occupational and social participation subsequently decrease. Specific diagnostic in rehabilitation shows these consequences and a multimodal, multi-professional therapeutic management can be started. This means an optimized pharmacotherapy, different steps of intensity of indoor or outdoor rehabilitation with a training for patients, withdrawal therapy, psycho-social support and in severe cases non invasive artificial respiration. The indication for rehabilitation and the legal requirements are shown, as well as the ways to get rehabilitation and the possibilities of a rehabilitation chain including rehabilitation follow up and physical training. It has been proved that rehabilitation improves the symptoms of the disease, the personal fitness and the quality of life. Futhermore, rehabilitation reduces the days and the time spent in hospital and eventually reduces fear and depression. Therefore if consequently followed, rehabilitation in COPD is a valid therapeutic measure that can diminish the epidemiologic burden of this widespread disease.