Pulmonary rehabilitation in interstitial lung diseases

Interstitial lung diseases are characterised by dyspnea on exertion, low quality of life, cough and exercise intolerance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with interstitial lung disease.

Data from patients who were referred to pulmonary rehabilitation with the diagnosis of interstitial lung diseases were included to this study. Ten patients with interstitial lung disease participated to our outpatient, 8 weeks, comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation programme. Dyspnea was assessed with the Medical Research Council (MRC) scale; health related quality of life was assessed with the St.George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). Exercise capacity was measured using the incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT) and endurance shuttle walk test (ESWT); anxiety and depression were assessed with the hospital anxiety depression scale (HADS). All parameters were recorded before and after pulmonary rehabilitation programme.

Dyspnea sensation, anxiety and depression scores decreased after pulmonary rehabilitation (p: 0.023, p: 0.026, p: 0.039 respectively). Also impact domains of SGRQ significantly reduced (Z= 1.988; p= 0.047).The difference between median values of ISWT results before and after pulmonary rehabilitation was 60 meters. Although it was not statistically significant (Z= 1.863; p= 0.063), the level of increment was higher than the minimaly important clinical differance for ISWT.

Our results showed that comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation programmes were benefical for patients with interstitial lung diseases and it should be regarded as a standard care in this population from the early stages.