[Inpatient rehabilitation in inpatients with chronic obstructive lung diseases (COPD): effect on physical capacity for work, psychological wellbeing and quality of life].

Success of inpatient rehabilitation for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was assessed in a prospective study of 39 patients (mean age = 71 years). Six months after hospital stay (mean duration 22.4 days), physical endurance as assessed by the 6-minute walk distance remained unchanged. Subjective health measures improved (SF36 21 vs 29%; p < 0.05), MRC-dyspnoea was reduced (2.61 vs 2.19; p < 0.05) and measures of global quality of life also improved (56.1 vs 67.5; p < 0.05). Meanwhile, anxiety symptoms were reduced (7.7 vs 6.0; p < 0.05); no changes in depression scores were observed (6.8 vs 6.2; p = 0.271). A novel visual method to assess the burden of suffering, PRISM (Pictorial Representation of Illness and Self Measure), was applied for the first time in COPD patients. PRISM scores improved significantly (6.3 vs 12.2; p < 0.001). In conclusion, inpatient pulmonary rehabilitation improved subjective physical health measures and reduced anxiety levels.