Current perspectives on the rehabilitation of COPD patients with comorbidities

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is frequently accompanied by a variety of comorbidities, complicating management and rehabilitation efforts. Understanding this interplay is crucial for optimizing patient outcomes.

Areas covered: This review, based on the MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane Library databases, summarizes the main research on the rehabilitation of patients with COPD, with an emphasis on relevant comorbidities, such as cardiovascular diseases, pulmonary hypertension, lung cancer, metabolic, musculoskeletal, and gastrointestinal disorders. anxiety/depression and cognitive disorders. The study highlights the importance of pre-participation assessments, ongoing monitoring and personalized rehabilitation programs. A review includes a comprehensive literature search to assess the scientific evidence on these interventions and their impact.

Expert opinion: The integration of cardiorespiratory rehabilitation program is essential for improving physical capacity and quality of life in COPD patients with comorbidities. While existing studies highlight positive outcomes, challenges such as interdisciplinary collaboration and access to rehabilitation services remain. Future strategies must prioritize personalized and integrated approaches programs combining pharmacological optimization and a close monitoring during cardiopulmonary rehabilitation to significantly reduce hospital readmissions and mortality, even in patients with complex multimorbidities. Continued research is necessary to refine rehabilitation protocols and better understand the complexities of managing COPD alongside cardiac conditions.