Pulmonary rehabilitation: Uptake and completion profile of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background/Aims: Pulmonary rehabilitation is effective in the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients; however, 33% of patients referred for pulmonary rehabilitation do not start the programme. This study examines the relationship between participation in outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation and baseline measures of disease severity and psychosocial variables in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients. Methods: In an observational study and before their first outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation appointment, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients completed outcome measures of depression (Brief Assessment Depression Card), social support (Duke Social Support Index), multidimensional health locus of control and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease severity (Medical Research Council dyspnoea scale). Data on attendance at the pulmonary rehabilitation appointments were obtained from the pulmonary rehabilitation register. Results: A total of 51 patients (mean age 77.2 years, male=20), completed the study. Results indicated that the if the patient has depression, there was a moderate, but statistically significant association (P=0.02) with the uptake of pulmonary rehabilitation. There was no significant correlation between uptake status and any of the domains of multidimensional health locus of control, Duke Social Support Index or Medical Research Council dyspnea score (P>0.005). Conclusion: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and depression are less likely to take up a referral to pulmonary rehabilitation compared to those without depression. Social support, multidimensional health locus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease severity does not have a relationship with the uptake or completion of outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation.