Influence of climatic variables on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patient attendance to a pulmonary rehabilitation program

Purpose Implementing adherence to pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) programs is key to obtaining the best results. The objective of our study was to evaluate the influence of weather conditions (humidity, temperature, and precipitation) on attendance to a PR program in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. Methods This prospective observational study, carried out in Seville (Spain), included COPD patients who participated in a 36-session outpatient mixed (strength and endurance) training program for 12 weeks. The program included educational sessions as well. The attendance at the program scheduled sessions during 1 year was evaluated in relation to the meteorological conditions of relative humidity in percentage (%), temperature in degree centigrade (degrees C), and precipitation in millimeters (mm) according to the data from the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) and the meteorological center of La Rinconada. Results A total of 81 COPD patients who underwent 2903 sessions were analyzed. The annual average attendance of the program was 78.6%. No differences were found in the attendance to the program depending on the climatic conditions evaluated throughout the year. Conclusions In a specific geographical area such as Seville, meteorological conditions are not a determining factor of attendance to the PR program for COPD patients.