RESEARCH ARTICLE


Rehabilitation Programs for Cystic Fibrosis – View from a CF Center



M Griese*, 1, §, P Busch1, §, D Caroli1, B Mertens1, C Eismann1, M Harari2, H Staudter1, M Kappler1
1 Cystic Fibrosis Center, Dr. von Haunersches Kinderspital, University of Munich, Lindwurmstr. 4, D-80337 Munich, Germany
2 Christiane Herzog Dead Sea CF-Climate Therapy Centre and German Medical Center, Dead Sea, Ein Bokek 86930, Israel

Article Information


Identifiers and Pagination:

Year: 2010
Volume: 4
First Page: 1
Last Page: 8
Publisher ID: TORMJ-4-1
DOI: 10.2174/1874306400903010001

Article History:

Received Date: 20/8/2009
Revision Received Date: 7/10/2009
Acceptance Date: 20/10/2009
Electronic publication date: 7/1/2010
Collection year: 2010

Article Metrics

CrossRef Citations:
13
Total Statistics:

Full-Text HTML Views: 2590
Abstract HTML Views: 2223
PDF Downloads: 747
Total Views/Downloads: 5560
Unique Statistics:

Full-Text HTML Views: 1140
Abstract HTML Views: 1274
PDF Downloads: 518
Total Views/Downloads: 2932



Creative Commons License
© Griese et al.; Licensee Bentham Open

open-access license: This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted, non-commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited.

* Address correspondence to this author at the Dr. von Haunersches Kinderspital, University of Munich, Lindwurmstraße 4, D-80337 Munich, Germany; Tel: ++49 89 5160 7871; Fax: ++49 89 5160 7872; E-mail: matthias.griese@med.uni-muenchen.de
§ Shared first authorship.


Abstract

Background:

Rehabilitation programs are comprehensive interventions which effectively improve the health status and reduce costs in chronic respiratory illnesses. Because patients with cystic fibrosis have been discouraged to participate for concerns of microbial cross infection, the efficacy of systematic rehabilitation is unknown for this group.

Methods:

We retrospectively studied 142 cystic fibrosis patients aged 2-46 years who participated in rehabilitation programs taking place in Germany/Switzerland and in Israel, focusing on changes in lung function and weight.

Results:

During 172 stays in 97 patients in Israel and 68 stays in 45 patients rehabilitating in Germany/Switzerland, overall lung function and weight improved. Outcome did not differ between Israel and German/Swiss sites. Interestingly, lung function improved during the initial phase of the stay, whereas weight gain was sustained throughout. The study uncovered gaps in reporting sufficient individual outcome information back to the admitting centre.

Conclusions:

Rehabilitation programs specified for cystic fibrosis patients need to be assessed prospectively to optimize treatment of this life limiting condition.

Keywords:: Cystic fibrosis, rehabilitation, summer camp..