Effect of Pulmonary Rehabilitation on the Value of the Inspiratory Capacity–to–Total Lung Capacity (IC/TLC) Ratio to Determine Response to Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: In patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the inspiratory capacity–to–total lung capacity (IC/TLC)ratio has been found to be correlated with mortality and a reduced exercise capacity. Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is known to improvethe exercise capacity and respiratory functions of patients with COPD. Our study aims to examine the impact of PR on the IC/TLC ratioin patients with COPD.MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included a total of 122 patients with COPD who received PR therapy twice a week over a period of8 weeks in an outpatient clinic.RESULTS: Patients’ mean age was 62.5 (±8.2), and 15 patients (12.3%) were female. Post-PR FEV1, TLCO, and pO2 values, and the6mWD, dyspnea, and quality-of-life (QoL) scores indicated a statistically significant improvement (p0.25 as Group 1 and IC/TLC ≤0.25 as Group 2. Both groups exhibited a significantly increased post-PR6 mWT distance (375–420, 336–400 meters) with no difference between the groups. We observed a significantly increased FEV1% inboth groups after the PR (p=0.007, 0.004). Again, QoL questionnaires and Modified Medical Research Council scores significantly improved for both groups (p0.25.