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Two hundred twenty seven patients with severe COPD who were found hypercapnic in stable condition were asked to participate in the study between September 2004 and January 2007. Eventually 87 patients were willing to participate and invited for evaluation in our centre. However, of them 15 patients did not satisfy the inclusion criteria. 
Seventy-two patients could be included, 37 patients in the NIPPV+ rehabilitation group and 35 patients in the rehabilitation group.