Short term outcomes of pulmonary rehabilitation: A comparison between patients immediately after hospitalization for AECOPD and stable COPD patients

Background: Rehabilitation after hospitalization because of acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) has proven to be highly effective. The current study compares the benefit of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) in patients after AECOPD to the benefit in stable COPD patients. Methods: We prospectively analyzed 311 COPD patients in PR, GOLD stage II-IV. Outcome measurements: walking distance (6MWD), dyspnea (mMRC, TDI), quality of life (CCQ, CAT) and the BODE score. Results: 228 stable patients (56.6±7.1 years, Ø FEV1 53.1%pred., 64% male) and 83 patients after hospitalization for AECOPD (59.0±6.1 years, Ø FEV1 47.9%pred., 60% male) were included. The results are shown in the table. No differences between the groups were found. Discussion: All patients improved in most outcomes, with no difference between the patient groups. (Figure Presented)