The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of comorbidities on exercise capacity and mobility in patients with CRD.
We performed a retrospective cohort study of CRD patients enrolled in a pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) program from August 2023 to September 2024 in Fortaleza (northeast region of Brazil). Comorbidities were assessed using the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), which assigns a numerical value to each listed diagnosis, with a score of 2 or greater used as the cutoff for greater impact of comorbidities. Exercise capacity and mobility were measured using the six-minute walk test (6MWT) and the timed up and go test (TUG), respectively.
A total of 48 CRD patients were included (CCI2, n=30; CCI≥2, n=18). Study participants were older subjects (60.1 ± 18.7 years), 62% female, and 50% diagnosed with COPD. The mean number of comorbidities was 1.8 ± 1.6. A significant decline in exercise capacity and mobility was observed based on the comorbidity cutoff, with the following results: 333.2 ± 95.8 meters versus 208.1 ± 108.1 meters in 6MWT (p0,05) and 11.5 ± 4.7 seconds versus 14.6 ± 6.5 seconds in TUG (p0,05).
Comorbidities lead to impairment in exercise capacity and mobility in patients with CRD initiating PR programs.
The existence of comorbidities significantly impacts the evaluation and management of CRD. In addition to addressing the structural and functional alterations in the lungs, PR programs for CRD patients must also evaluate and manage the patients' comorbid conditions. Therefore, there is a growing necessity to comprehend how existing therapies interact with these comorbidities.
chronic respiratory diseases
pulmonary rehabilitation
