Öz
Objective: The aim of our study is to determine the effect of exercise factors and exercise programs on the clinical status of patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in the emphysema phenotype.
Materials and Methods: Patients diagnosed with emphysema and included in the exercise program were included in the study. Aerobic and resistive exercise program was applied to the patients for 2 months. The exercise capacity of the patients was assessed with a 6-minute walking test distance (6MWM), dyspnea perception was modified with a modified Medical Research Concile (mMRC) dyspnea score, and symptom severity was assessed by the COPD assessment questionnaire (CAT). In addition, Force Expiratory Volumes in one seconds (FEV1), Force Vital Capacities (FVC), and body mass indices (BMI) were recorded. Relationship between changes in clinical status and walking distance obtained from walking test and other clinical features were made at the end of the program.
Results: A total of 66 patients were included in the study. The average age was 64 and 91% were male. A statistically significant difference was obtained in 6MWD (p = .000), mMRC (p = .000) and CAT values (p = .000). Initial 6MWD was correlated with body mass index(r=.355), mMRC (r = .553), FEV1% (r = .323) and FVC% (r = .277). At the end of the program, there was a relationship between the development in 6MWD and changes in mMRC (r = .279) and FEV1% (r = .262).
Conclusions: This study showed that exercise capacity is associated with body composition, pulmonary functions and symptoms in emphysema patients, and exercise programs have positive effects on exercise capacity, dyspnea and disease symptoms.