PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Konrad Schultz
AU  - Oliver Göhl
AU  - Dragan Stojanovic
AU  - Michael Wittmann
AU  - Juliane Rudnik
AU  - Monika Schwarze
TI  - CAT (COPD assessment test) as outcome parameter of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) in COPD
DP  - 2011 Sep 01
TA  - European Respiratory Journal
PG  - p3626
VI  - 38
IP  - Suppl 55
4099  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/38/Suppl_55/p3626.short
4100  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/38/Suppl_55/p3626.full
SO  - Eur Respir J2011 Sep 01; 38
AB  - Background: The COPD Assessment Test (CAT) is a newly developed questionnaire for COPD-patients. The CAT is designed to measure the impact of COPD on a patient's life, and how this changes over the time. The test contains 8 items.Methods: In a prospective observational study 124 patients with COPD were included, 71.6% male, 45.2% with GOLD Stage 1-2, 26.6% with stage 3, 28.2% with stage 4. Mean FEV1 was 1.66 l. Outcome parameters were 6-MWD, FEV1, MRC-dyspnoea scale and in addition the CAT was used for the first time in Germany as an outcome parameter in PR.Results: Mean CAT score at admission (T0) was 21.97±6.49 and at discharge from PR (T1) 18.94±7,56 (p<0.0001). CAT scores from 21-30 indicate a high impact of COPD on patient's life, as shown at admission. At discharge the average CAT score turned out a medium impact, as a defined range from 10-20 points. The minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for CAT is supposed to be a change of 2 points. In 56.6% of the patients the CAT score decreased for at least 2 points and therefore MCID was achieved. The average improvement was a reduction of 3.03 points. Improvement occurred in all items of the CAT, but the item with the highest impact was breathlessness on effort.Conclusions: In this prospective observational study all COPD-patients were included, regardless of comorbidity or exacerbations. In spite of these circumstances there was a statistically significant and clinically relevant improvement. More than 50% of the patients improved the CAT score for at least 2 points (MCID). The test was answered by our patients without relevant problems and so, since July 2010, the CAT is used as a routine outcome parameter in our PR program.