LAUSR

Introduction: The merits of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) programs in improving health outcomes in COPD are well recognised. However, factors such as socioeconomic deprivation and severe breathlessness affect attendance and completion of PR programs. A community respiratory team (CRT) pilot project in Glasgow City aimed to bring the principles and practice of pulmonary rehab into patients’ homes in order to improve program completion in this population. Method: This retrospective study over a 1 year period examined the case records of 1134 patients attending PR and 1041 attending CRT. Completion rates and patient outcomes in the CRT program were compared with a formal PR program focusing on socioeconomic deprivation score and MRC grade. Analysis Patients from the most deprived quintile were less likely to complete PR than those in the least deprived quintile (30% vs 41%, p Discussion Patients from deprived areas or who were severely disabled by breathlessness were less likely to complete class-based PR. Domiciliary rehabilitation improved adherence and achieved similar quality of life outcomes in these groups. As this is not a randomised controlled trial further work is required to confirm this outcome and any long term impact on health and wellbeing in this population.