Evaluation of multidimensional COPD-related subjective fatigue following a pulmonary rehabilitation programme.

Introduction: Subjective fatigue has been recognised as an important, multi-component symptom in COPD. Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) improves fatigue component of the Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire, a quality of life (QoL) measure. However, it is not clear if all fatigue dimensions are affected equally.

Evaluation of psychological and physiological predictors of fatigue in patients with COPD.

Background: Fatigue in COPD impairs functional status; however there are few studies examining mechanistic pathways of this symptom. The aims of this study are to compare fatigue between COPD patients and healthy age-matched subjects, and to identify predictors of fatigue in COPD.

Methods: Seventy four COPD patients, mean age 69.