Rehabilitation in end-stage COPD.

Patients with chronic obstructive lung disease represent a major impact on the utilization of health care resources. The high prevalence of impairment, disability and handicap among this population has led to the development of programmes in respiratory rehabilitation that aim to increase exercise tolerance and quality of life. Programme requirements may be quite modest but candidate evaluation will as-sist in selecting those most likely to benefit. The programme content should include supervised exercise, education and patient support. It is essential to employ appropriate outcome measures to evaluate the effectiveness of respiratory rehabilitation.