High CAT score predicts lung parenchymal damage in COPD

COPD Assessment Test (CAT) is a measure of impact of COPD on a patient’s health status. We measured CAT score in 94 Chinese patients with a confirmed diagnosis of stable COPD (GOLD criteria). Age ranged 43-86 years, smoking pack years 0-104, and post-bronchodilatation FEV1/FVC under treatment 25-80%. CAT was compared to ventilation and perfusion tomography with Technegas™ (V/P SPECT*), diffusion capacity (DLCO) and FEV1, FVC and FEV1/FVC. Obstructive bronchitis was classified by penetration of Technegas™ to periphery and quantified to estimate % of missing lung function in relation to total lung volume. Emphysema was defined as area of matched or reversed mismatched V/P defects and extent of emphysema was assessed as % of estimated total lung volume (E%). Total preserved lung function (TPLF%) falling due to reduction of ventilation and/or emphysema was calculated as percentage of total lung volume.Average CAT score was 15±7 (range 1-29). E%>70%, DLCO<40% and FVC<60% of predicted were associated with elevation of CAT score: 21±7, 22±6 and 21±6, respectively (P<0.0015). Severe small airway obstruction in V/P SPECT, TPLF%<30%, FEV1<30% or FEV1/FVC<40% were not associated with elevation of CAT score: 17±7, 16±8, 18±9 and 15±7, respectively (P>0.15).Results: suggest that in COPD, CAT score elevates rapidly when parenchymal damage of lung progresses while grade of obstructive bronchiti...

Source: European Respiratory Journal - December 6, 2017 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Bajc, M., Wang, J., Chen, Y., Lindqvist, A. E., He, X. Y. Tags: Clinical Problems COPD Source Type: research