The recording and characteristics of pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with COPD using The Health Information Network (THIN) primary care database.

ROLLING OUT THE REHAB: Analysis of recent UK data suggests that more patients with chronic lung disease could benefit from lung rehabilitation programmes. During pulmonary rehabilitation (PR), patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) work with specialists to learn exercises and optimise breathing techniques. The programmes are recommended under current guidelines, particularly for patients with a high breathlessness score. Despite this, when Charlotte Bolton and co-workers at the University of Nottingham analysed 36,189 patient primary care records gathered since 2004, they found only 9.8% of COPD patients had ever had a coded record of being assessed, referred for, or undertaken PR. Those patients who completed PR were 22% less likely to die that those who didn't, although appeared they had also received better overall COPD care. Current smokers, those suffering from co-morbidities and younger patients were more likely to receive PR than other patient groups.