CONSENSO CHILENO DE REHABILITACIÓN RESPIRATORIA EN EL PACIENTE CON EPOC: INTRODUCCIÓN

Abstract

In Chile and the world, the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a problem of public health, due to its high prevalence, its progressive condition, the deterioration of the quality of life and its great economic impact. The respiratory rehabilitation (RR) is a multidisciplinary treatment and in COPD patients allows to control the vicious circle that limits the capacity of exercise in these patients. The aims of the RR are: to reduce the symptoms, to improve the tolerance to the physical exercise and the quality of life. We sense beforehand the first Chilean Consensus of Respiratory Rehabilitation in COPD patients. These guides have to aim that the RR could apply to them in the whole country, so much in hospitals and in the primary care. For the elaboration of this document, a group ofpulmonary physicians, physical therapists, nurses, nutritionists and psychologists carried out a systematic analysis of the scientific available evidence until December, 2010. The evidence was analyzed according to the system GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) modified. This consensus is divided into chapters which analyze in depth each one of the topics of the RR. These include the pathophysiology, evaluation and programs, muscle training of lower and upper extremities and inspiratory muscle training, supplemmental oxygen, noninvasive ventilation, education, nutrition, psychological aspects and cost-efficiency.