[Efficacy of respiratory rehabilitation on patients with moderate COPD in primary care and maintenance of benefits at 2 years].

objectivesTo assess the efficacy of a pulmonary rehabilitation programme lasting 24 months and carried out at primary care health centres in improving the quality of life of patients with moderate COPD, compared with a programme of 12 weeks pulmonary rehabilitation with the usual care. Secondary aims include the assessment of the effects of the programme on dyspnoea, exercise capacity, reduction of crises, hospital admissions and length of time in hospital.

designRandomised clinical trial, with 3 groups in parallel and with blind evaluation. The control group will continue with the customary care. SUBJECT: Patients attended at primary health care centres with a diagnosis, based on GOLD criteria, of moderate COPD. Patients will be recruited from 5 health centres. 56 patients per group are needed (allowing for 20% drop-outs) to detect the minimum clinically meaningful differences between treatments, with an alpha error of 0.005 and statistical power of 80%.

interventionAll eligible patients with signed informed consent will be randomised into the following groups: a) pulmonary rehabilitation for 12 weeks and programme maintenance for 24 months; b) pulmonary rehabilitation for 12 weeks without maintenance programme; c) control group continuing with customary care. Pulmonary rehabilitation will include educational sessions, respiratory physiotherapy and low-intensity physical exercise. Follow-ups will be at the end of the rehabilitation programme, and at one and 2 years. MEASUREMENTS: Quality of life with the Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire, 6-minute walking test, Borg Dyspnoea Scale, Medical Research Council Dyspnoea Score, Lung Function Tests, and intervention group.