Outcome Measures Used in Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Patients With Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Systematic Review

Abstract Background Conflicting results about the effects of community-based pulmonary rehabilitation in acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) exist, possibly because the variety of outcome measures used and the lack of appropriate measurement properties hinder the development of pulmonary rehabilitation guidelines. Purpose The purpose of this study was to identify and review the measurement properties of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and clinical outcome measures of AECOPD that are used in pulmonary rehabilitation and that can be easily applied in a community setting. Data Sources PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and CINAHL were searched up to July 1, 2016. Study Selection Phase 1 identified outcome measures used in pulmonary rehabilitation for AECOPD. Phase 2 reviewed the measurement properties of the identified outcome measures. Data Extraction One reviewer extracted the data and 2 reviewers independently assessed the methodological quality of the studies and the measurement properties of the outcome measures by using the Consensus-Based Standards for the Selection of Health Status Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) recommendations. Data Synthesis Twenty-three PROMs and 18 clinical outcome measures were found. The outcome measures most used were the St George Respiratory Questionnaire (n = 15/37 studies) and the 6-minute walk test (n = 21/37 studies). Thirty-two studies described the measurement properties of 22 PROMs and 7 clinical outcome measures. The methodological quality of the studies was mostly poor, and the measurement properties were mostly indeterminate. The outcome measure exhibiting more robust properties was the COPD Assessment Test. Limitations A number of studies were not found with the validated search strategy used and were included a posteriori; the fact that 3 studies presented combined results— for patients who were stable and patients with exacerbation—affected the conclusions that can be drawn. Conclusions A large variety of outcome measures have been used; however, studies on their measurement properties are needed to enhance the understanding of community pulmonary rehabilitation for AECOPD.