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Updated: Mar 15, 2026
Using Continuous Data Tracking Technology to Study Exercise Adherence in Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Published on: November 8, 2013
Improvements in Lung Diffusion Capacity following Pulmonary Rehabilitation in COPD with and without Ventilation
Pierachille Santus1, Dejan Radovanovic, Giovanni Balzano
1Department of Health Science, University of Milan, Pulmonary Rehabilitation Unit, Fondazione Salvatore Maugeri, IRCCS - Scientific Institute of Milan, Milan, Italy.
Background:
Lung diffusing capacity (DLCO) and lung volume distribution predict exercise performance and are altered in COPD patients. If pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) can modify DLCO parameters is unknown.
Objectives:
To investigate changes in DLCO and ventilation inhomogeneity following a PR program and their relation with functional outcomes in patients with COPD.
Methods:
This was a prospective, observational, multicentric study. Patients were evaluated before and after a standardized 3-week PR program. Functional assessment included body plethysmography, DLCO, transfer factor (KCO) and alveolar volume (VA), gas exchange, the 6-min walking test (6MWT) and exercise-related dyspnea. Patients were categorized according to the severity of airflow limitation and presence of ventilation inhomogeneity, identified by a VA/TLC <0.8.
Results:
Two hundred and fifty patients completed the study. Baseline forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) % predicted (mean ± SD) was 50.5 ± 20.1 (76% males); 137 patients had a severe disease. General study population showed improvements in 6MWT (38 ± 55 m; p < 0.01), DLCO (0.12 ± 0.63 mmol × min-1 kPa-1; p < 0.01), lung function and dyspnea. Comparable improvements in DLCO were observed regardless of the severity of disease and the presence of ventilation inhomogeneity. While patients with VA/TLC <0.8 improved the DLCO increasing their VA (177 ± 69 ml; p < 0.01), patients with VA/TLC >0.8 improved their KCO (8.1 ± 2.8%; p = 0.019). The latter had also better baseline lung function and higher improvements in 6MWT (14.6 ± 6.7 vs. 9.0 ± 1.8%; p = 0.015). Lower DLCO at baseline was associated with lower improvements in 6MWT, the greatest difference being between subjects with very severe and mild DLCO impairment (2.7 ± 7.4 vs. 14 ± 2%; p = 0.049).
Conclusions:
In COPD patients undergoing a PR program, different pathophysiological mechanisms may drive improvements in DLCO, while ventilation inhomogeneity may limit improvements in exercise tolerance.
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