The effect of pulmonary rehabilitation on echocardiographic parameters and quality of life in patients with primary lung disease

Abstract

Background: The authors aimed to evaluate the effects of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) on respiratory and echocardiographic parameters in patients with primary lung disease. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 55 patients who were admitted to the authors’ hospital between January 2018 and December 2019 with respiratory complaints, diagnosed with primary lung disease and underwent PR. Echocardiographic parameters, respiratory parameters, 6-minute walk distance (6-MWT), body mass index, Modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea score, and quality of life measurement score values measured before and after PR were retrieved from the patient database. Results: After PR, a significant improvement was observed in systolic pulmonary artery pressure (PABs), Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), TAPSE/PABs, and 6-minute walk test (6-MWT) compared to before PR. As the effectiveness of PR at quality of life was evaluated with the SF-36 test, improvement was found in all variables in the asthma group. However, a statistically significant improvement was found in parameters other than general health and pain in the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) group. Conclusion: Pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with chronic lung disease is associated with improvement in both respiratory and cardiac functions and quality of life.