Effects of pulmonary rehabilitation on lung function in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: the FIRST study.

摘要: Background Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) causes an impairment of respiratory function, well reflected by the progressive decrease in forced expiratory volume 1 second (FEV1). The only interventions able to slow down FEV1 decline are smoking cessation and drug treatment. Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR), is claimed improve exercise tolerance, symptoms quality life, but its effects on lung function have been scantly investigated. Aim aim this paper was evaluate, study named "FEV1 as Index Rehabilitation Success over Time" (FIRST), PR patients with COPD, under treatment inhaled corticosteroids or long-acting β2-agonists and/or tiotropium various combinations, according guidelines, during a 3-year period. Design Observational, prospective, two parallel groups study. Setting setting urban hospital. Population Two hundred fifty-seven COPD patients, 190 (103 males, mean age 71.1 ± 7.1 years range 57-86 years) underwent 67 (49 67.9 7.9 years, 58-79 were treated drugs. Methods Lung measured at baseline one-year intervals up 3 years. postbronchodilator used for statistical analysis. Results In group, increased from 1240 mL (57.3% predicted value) 1252.4 (60.8%) after whereas controls values 1367 (55% predicted) 1150 (51%) This difference statistically significant (P Conclusion standard pharmacotherapy, significantly affected time. Clinical impact ability substantially stop seems exclusive when added finding warrants confirmation randomized trials.