Effect of Pulmonary Rehabilitation on Exercise Capacity, Body Composition Analysis and Health Related Quality of Life in Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis

Background: The recent guidelines recommended the pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) as part of the management in ILD patients bit there still has limited studies exploring the outcomes of PR in different subtypes of ILD. This study was done with aim to evaluate the effect of PR in hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) subtype. Method: A prospective, case-control study of 40 HP patients. Twenty patients in group 1 underwent PR for 8weeks with the medication, while 20patients in group 2 were continued on the same medications without PR. The 6 Minute Walk Test (6MWT), St Georges. Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) and Body Composition Analysis (BCA) were measured at baseline, end of 4th and 12th week and compared. A p value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Result: A statistically significant improvement was seen in 6MWD at end of 12 week in both groups (p=0.001) however the magnitude and percentage improvement was greater in group-1 with no difference in oxygen desaturation. All the parameters of SGRQ (symptoms score, activity score, impact score and total score) were significant improved in group-1 compared to group-2 at end of PR programme. (p=0.001) There was not significant mild improvement in all parameters of BCA with PR. Conclusion: The present study shows that 6MWT and HRQL significantly improve with 8weeks PR programme along with standard therapy in HP patients. Not much improvement in BCA was observed with PR. We advise to implement a structured PR programme to all chronic ILD including HP at early stage to improve exercise capacity, quality of life and prevention of complications. Key words: Hypersensitivity pneumonitis, Pulmonary rehabilitation, 6 Minute Walk Test, St Georges. Respiratory Questionnaire and Body Composition Analysis