Effects of low‐frequency outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation in preventing COPD exacerbations

【 Objective 】 Preventing exacerbations is an important disease management goal for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Although pulmonary rehabilitation is recommended for preventing COPD exacerbations, frequent outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation is difficult due to social backgrounds. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of infrequent outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation in preventing COPD exacerbations. 【 Methods 】 This 12 ‐ month retrospective study included patients with COPD who participated in outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation (the pulmonary rehabilitation group) and those who received only outpatient visits (the no ‐ pulmonary rehabilitation group ) . The primary outcomes were the presence of COPD exacerbations, the number of COPD exacerbations, and the number of days to the first exacerbation. Data were collected from medical records. Then, statistical analysis was performed by comparing each item between the two groups. The Kaplan ‐ Meier method and log ‐ rank test were used to compare COPD exacerbations and the number of days to the first COPD exacerbation. 【 Results 】 There were no differences in the number of patients with COPD exacerbations and the primary outcome measures between the groups. However, the number of days to the first COPD exacerbation was significantly longer in the pulmonary rehabilitation group. 【 Discussion 】 Exacerbations were considered to be influenced by the frequency, intensity of exercise, and rehabilitation program. There was no effect on reducing the number of COPD exacerbations or the number of COPD exacerbations. However, it could be that the program promoted active lifestyles and behavioral changes and effectively extended the time to COPD exacerbation.