Evaluación clínica de los pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica en los programas de rehabilitación respiratoria

Abstract

Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) are the largest tributaries of the pulmonary rehabilitation programs. This chapter discusses the necessary evaluation required for patients with COPD, before entering the pulmonary rehabilitation program. Scientific evidence exists regarding the benefits of these programs. The assessment method recommend is: general evaluation, lung function, exercise tolerance (6-minute walk test, incremental walking test), dyspnea (scale of Borg, modified Medical Research Council scale) and health-related quality of life (Saint George's questionnaire). Also, BODE index, psychological and nutritional assessment and a cardiovascular evaluation to rule out cardiac pathology that contraindicates rehabilitation, should be carried out. Following the evaluation, the patient will be into a pulmonary rehabilitation program, the team should consist of a multidisciplinary and include: 1) education of patients and their families, 2) muscle testing and training of: lower extremities, upper extremities and respiratory muscles, and 4) psychosocial support. The pulmonary rehabilitation program provides significant benefits to patients with COPD in terms of reducing dyspnea, improve exercise capacity and quality of life (quality evidence A, strong recommendation). Physical space is required for the evaluation of patients and a training room. It is recommended that pulmonary rehabilitation program must be personalized and centred on the needs of the patient and has a duration of 6 to 12 weeks. Programs effectiveness is independent of where they are carried out and it depends primarily on its structure. It is important to work out a strategy study and control program for evaluating its success.