Pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with interstitial lung diseases: Correlates of success

Abstract Background and aim Benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation in Interstitial Lung Diseases (ILD) have been reported. The aim of this large multicenter study was to identify the success predictors of pulmonary rehabilitation in a real-life setting. Methods Data of 240 in-patients (110 idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), 106 ILD other than IPF and 24 undetermined ILD) undergoing pulmonary rehabilitation in a 10-year period were retrospectively evaluated. Six minute walking distance (6MWT), body weight–walking distance product tests, dyspnoea and arterial blood gases were assessed at admission and discharge. Differences in post rehabilitation changes in outcome measures as function of baseline characteristics were evaluated. Results After rehabilitation, patients showed improvements in all outcome measures (p  Conclusion Pulmonary rehabilitation may improve dyspnoea, exercise capacity and fatigue in patients with ILD of different aethiologies and level of severity. The long-term effects need to be established.