The relation of CAT and BODE index in assessing patients with COPD in sub Saharan Africa: Is CAT alone simple and good enough?

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major cause of disability and death worldwide. It is often evaluated multi-dimensionally via pulmonary function test (PFT), quality of life (QoL) and Body mass, Obstruction, Dyspnoea and Exercise capacity (BODE) index (a multidimensional prognostic marker). We sought to determine the association between QoL and the BODE index in patients with COPD in Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Methods: Patients with clinical and PFT diagnosis of COPD based on GOLD criteria were enrolled into the study from an outpatient clinic. The height, weight and body mass index (BMI) of the patients were measured. PFT was performed according to the ERS/ATS guidelines. QoL, level of dyspnoea and exercise capacity were assessed using COPD assessment test (CAT), modified medical research council dyspnoea scale and six minute walk distance (6MWD) respectively. The BODE index was then extrapolated.

Results: A total of sixty patients were recruited into the study; the mean age was 68.8years (± 10.3). A majority of the patients had medium and high impact CAT scores with 37(61.7%) and 13(21.7%). The mean CAT scores and BODE INDEX increased in a linear fashion from low to high impairment levels. There was a strong correlation between CAT scores and impact levels with the BODE index, r= 0.74 P <0.0001 and r=0.65 p<0.0001 respectively.

Conclusion: CAT can serve as a simple, easy to administer prognostic tool for COPD patients and may complement the BODE index.