Social Determinants of Adherence to Pulmonary Rehabilitation for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Adherence to pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is low. Previous studies have focused on clinical predictors of PR completion. We aimed to identify social determinants of adherence to PR. A cross-sectional analysis of a database of COPD patients (N = 455) in an outpatient PR program was performed. Adherence, a ratio of attended-to-prescribed sessions, was coded as low (<35%), moderate (35-85%), and high (>85%). Individual-level measures included age, sex, race, BMI, smoking status, pack-years, baseline 6-minute walk distance (6MWD: <150, 150-249, ≥250), co-morbidities, depression, and prescribed PR sessions (≤20, 21-30, >30). Fifteen area-level measures aggregated to Census tracts were obtained from the U.S. Census after geocoding patients' addresses. Using exploratory factor analysis, a neighborhood socioeconomic disadvantage index was constructed, which included variables with factor loading >0.5: poverty, public assistance, households without vehicles, cost burden, unemployment, and minority population. Multivariate regression models were adjusted for clustering on Census tracts. Twenty-six percent of patients had low adherence, 23% were moderately adherent, 51% were highly adherent. In the best fitted full model, each decile increase in neighborhood socioeconomic disadvantage increased the risk of moderate vs high adherence by 14% (p < 0.01). Smoking tripled the relative risk of low adherence (p < 0.01), while each increase in 6MWD category decreased that risk by 72% (p < 0.01) and 84% (p < 0.001), respectively. These findings show that, relative to high adherence, low adherence is associated with limited functional capacity and current smoking, while moderate adherence is associated with socioeconomic disadvantage. The distinction highlights different pathways to suboptimal adherence and calls for tailored intervention approaches.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation Improves Outcomes in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Independent of Disease Burden.

RATIONALE: Current practice guidelines recommend pulmonary rehabilitation as an adjunct to standard pharmacologic therapy for individuals with moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Whether pulmonary rehabilitation benefits all subjects with COPD independent of baseline disease burden is not known. OBJECTIVES: To test whether pulmonary rehabilitation benefits patients with COPD independent of baseline exercise capacity, dyspnea, and lung function. METHODS: Data from a prospectively maintained database of participants with COPD enrolled in pulmonary rehabilitation at the University of Alabama at Birmingham from 1996 to 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. Subjects were divided into four quartiles based on their baseline level of dyspnea as assessed by the San Diego Shortness of Breath Questionnaire at the initial visit. Similar quartiles were assessed for FEV1 percent predicted as well as the 6-minute-walk distance (6MWD). The primary outcome was the change in quality of life as measured by the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Secondary outcomes were change in dyspnea, 6MWD, and depression scores assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory-II. Differences between baseline and final scores were compared using paired t tests and across quartiles using analysis of variance. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 229 subjects were included. Their mean age was 66.5 (SD, 9) years. Ninety-one (40%) were female, and 42 (18%) were African American. The mean FEV1 percent predicted was 46.3% (20.0%). On completion of pulmonary rehabilitation, clinically significant improvements were seen in most components of SF-36: physical function, 11.5 (95% confidence interval [CI], 7.4-15.5; P < 0.001); health perception, 2.1 (95% CI, -0.7 to 4.8; P = 0.12); physical role, 16.7 (95% CI, 10.3-23.1; P < 0.001); emotional role, 14.7 (95% CI, 7.1-22.3; P < 0.001); social function, 16.4 (95% CI, 11.3-21.5; P < 0.001); mental health, 5.4 (95% CI, 2.6-8.3; P < 0.001); pain, 5 (95% CI, 1-9.1; P = 0.02); vitality, 12.4 (95% CI, 8.8-16.1; P < 0.001); and depression, 0.01 (95% CI, -0.11 to 0.07; P = 0.54). There was no difference in improvement in SF-36 across quartiles of San Diego Shortness of Breath Questionnaire, 6MWD, and FEV1 percent predicted. CONCLUSIONS: Pulmonary rehabilitation results in significant improvement in quality of life, dyspnea, and functional capacity independent of baseline disease burden.

Determinants of successful completion of pulmonary rehabilitation in COPD.

BACKGROUND: Despite known benefits, a significant proportion of patients with COPD do not complete pulmonary rehabilitation (PR). Little is known regarding which factors promote successful completion of PR. METHODS: We analyzed data from a prospectively maintained database of subjects with COPD who attended a PR program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, from 1996 to 2013. Subjects were categorized as either completers or non-completers, based on successful completion of at least 8 weeks of PR. Demographics and comorbidities were recorded. Short Form 36 Health Survey, Beck Depression Inventory-II, and San Diego Shortness of Breath Questionnaire were administered to all participants at baseline and on completion of PR to assess participants' perception of their health status, severity of depression, and dyspnea with performance of activities of daily living. Univariate and multivariable analyses were performed to identify predictors of successful completion of PR. RESULTS: Four hundred and forty subjects were included, of whom 229 completed PR. Forty-one percent were female, and 17% were African American. Compared with non-completers, completers had greater Short Form 36 Health Survey pain score, lower forced expiratory volume in the first second, and lower Beck Depression Inventory score, and included a lower percentage of current smokers. On multivariate analysis, cigarette smoking at enrollment was associated with lower likelihood of completion of PR (adjusted odds ratio 0.38, 95% confidence interval 0.16-0.90; P=0.02). CONCLUSION: Cigarette smoking was the sole independent predictor of PR dropout, and smoking cessation may warrant greater emphasis prior to enrollment.

Benefits of completing pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with asthma.

BACKGROUND: Asthma affects 30 million Americans and results in reduced productivity and quality of life. Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is known to improve physical conditioning and exercise performance in chronic lung diseases such as COPD, however, few studies have examined its benefits in patients with asthma. We aimed to determine the benefits of PR in this population as well as the predictors of completion of therapy. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of data from patients with a diagnosis of asthma who participated in PR at our institution from 1996 to 2013. Nine hundred and nineteen patients participated in the program of whom 75 were referred with a primary diagnosis of asthma. Patients underwent physiologic testing and their symptoms and quality of life were assessed using validated questionnaires. For patients who completed PR (n = 37), data obtained at the initial and exit visit was compared. Characteristics of completers were compared to non-completers to determine predictors of successful completion. RESULTS: Individuals with asthma completing PR had improvement from baseline to exit visit in Six Minute Walk Distance (326 vs. 390 feet; p < 0.0001), decreased body mass index (33 vs. 32 kg/m2; p < 0.046), decreased Beck Depression Inventory scores (15 vs. 9; p < 0.0009), and increased Short Form-36 scores (345 vs. 445; p = 0.0005). In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, lower depression scores predicted completion (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.02-1.15, p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Patients with asthma who completed PR had improvement in physical function and emotional well-being. Depression is a risk factor for non-completion of PR. Further research is needed to determine which patients will benefit most from therapy.