Gender Considerations in Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Purpose: It is unclear whether gender impacts the effects of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods: A sample of 46 male and 46 female patients with moderate COPD, all referred to a 4-week inpatient PR program, was evaluated for perceived health status (HS), perceived quality of life (QOL), anxiety levels immediately pre- and post-PR, and at 6-month follow-up. Measures of lung function and exercise capacity were collected at the start and end of PR.

Results: There was no significant gender / time effect for perceived HS, perceived QOL, or anxiety over any period of time. For perceived HS and QOL, improvements immediately after PR and subsequent declines at follow-up were similar for women and men. There was no significant gender / time effect for lung function or exercise capacity from the start to the end of PR. Overall, the results indicated that the PR had similar effects for female and male patients.

Conclusions: Effects of a 4-week inpatient PR program appear to be similar for female and male patients with moderate COPD.