Validation of Clinical Characteristics and Effectiveness of Pulmonary Rehabilitation in a COPD Population with Discrepancy between Exercise Tolerance and FEV1

This study’s objective was to examine the characteristics of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) presenting with various exercise tolerance levels. A total of 235 patients with stable COPD were classified into 4 groups: (1) LoFlo + HiEx—patients with a six-minute walking distance (6MWD) ≥350 m and percentage of predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s (%FEV1.0) <50%; (2) HiFlo + HiEx—patients with a 6MWD ≥350 m and a %FEV1.0 ≥50%; (3) LoFlo + LoEx—patients with a 6MWD < 350 m and %FEV1.0 < 50%; and (4) HiFlo + LoEx—patients with a 6MWD <350 m and %FEV1.0 ≥ 50%. Aspects of physical ability in the HiFlo + LoEx group were significantly lower than those in the HiFlo + HiEx group. The HiFlo + LoEx group was characterized by a history of hospitalization for respiratory illness within the past year, treatment with at-home oxygen therapy, and lacking daily exercise habits. Following three months of pulmonary rehabilitation, the LoFlo + HiEx group significantly improved in the modified Medical Research Council dyspnea score, maximum gait speed, and 6MWD, while the HiFlo + LoEx group significantly improved in the percentage of maximal expiratory pressure, maximum gait speed, 6MWD, incremental shuttle walking distance, and St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire score. The HiFlo + LoEx group had the greatest effect of three-month pulmonary rehabilitation compared to other groups.