Failure to complete outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation in COPD patients was associated with smoking, severe disease, and lower education, with lack of motivation (49.0%) being the main reason.
Observational
What factors are associated with failure to complete an outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation program in patients with COPD?
Severe COPD, smoking, lower education, and lack of motivation are significant barriers to completing outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation.
This study aims to compare demographic and clinical characteristics of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients who complete and fail to complete outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) program and to determine the reasons for not completing the program. Patients with COPD referred to the PR program were divided into two groups: Those who completed the program were classified as group 1 and those who did not complete were classified as group 2, and their data were compared. Patients who failed to complete the program were contacted through phone and asked why they ceased their participation in the program. In group 2, number of smoker patients and patients using nebulizer and receiving long-term oxygen treatment, emergency admissions, and dyspnea perception were higher ( p = 0.003, p < 0.001, p = 0.033, p = 0.011, p < 0.001, respectively); forced expiratory volume in one second (%) value, exercise capacity, and quality of life were lower ( p = 0.024, p = 0.001, p = 0.014, respectively). When considered from the sociodemographic perspective, group 2 had a lower education level and a higher rate of living alone ( p < 0.001). Factors impairing the program compliance were lack of motivation (49.0%), transportation problems (23.8%), COPD exacerbation (18.4%), work-related reasons (4.8%), and hospitalization (4.1%), respectively. Smokers and severe COPD patients fail to complete PR program due to various reasons, especially lack of motivation. It is very important for health practitioners to inform patients accurately and adopt a positive attitude.
Şahın et al. (Thu,) conducted a observational in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Failure to complete outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation program vs. Completion of the program was evaluated on Reasons for not completing the program and differences in demographic and clinical characteristics. Failure to complete outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation in COPD patients was associated with smoking, severe disease, and lower education, with lack of motivation (49.0%) being the main reason.