Effects of pulmonary rehabilitation on cough-related quality of life in patients with interstitial lung diseases

Abstract

<bold>Background:</bold> Chronic cough may be the unique complaint of patients treated for interstitial lung disease (ILD). <bold>Aim:</bold> Evaluate the impact of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) on cough in patients followed up for ILD. <bold>Methods:</bold> Prospective study focusing nine patients treated for ILD, in the respiratory department of the Mongi Slim Hospital, conducted from February 1st to April 30th 2024. Cough was assessed by the Leicester Cough Questionnaire(LCQ). This questionnaire is composed of 3 domains: physical, psychological and social. The total LCQ score was between 3 and 21.A PR protocol was then proposed, starting with nutritional assessment and including:exercise retraining, muscle strengthening, proprioception, stretching and therapeutic education. This protocol was carried out over 6 weeks.A final assessment of the LCQ was made 8 weeks after the initial assessment. <bold>Results:</bold> The mean age was 62 years.ILD causes were: idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) (n=5), ILD associated with scleroderma (n=1), ILD associated with rheumatoid arthritis(n=1), sarcoidosis(n=1), and hypersensitivity pneumonitis (1). Patients followed for IPF were receiving (nintedanib) and the others were on systemic corticosteroids and immunosuppressants. Before PR, all patients had worsened quality of life on the LCQ. The mean LCQ score was 15.14: physical domain 5.31, psychological domain 4.75 and social domain 5.11. Significant improvement in total LCQ score was observed at day 60 of PR, with mean score increasing from 15.14 at day 0 to 18.98 at day 60 (p=0.006). <bold>Conclusion:</bold> PR is one of the essential components of non-pharmacological treatment for improving the physical and psychological condition of people with ILD.