Ability of the COPD Assessment Test to evaluate the lung-specific quality of life in systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease.

Naoki Mugii,Fujiko Someya

doi:10.1111/crj.13162

Abstract

IntroductionThe COPD Assessment Test (CAT) is utilised to evaluate the treatment outcome regarding the health status in idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP). However, the ability of the CAT to evaluate the lung‐specific quality of life in systemic sclerosis‐associated interstitial lung disease (SSc‐ILD) is not established. Therefore, we investigated whether CAT scores can be used to evaluate SSc‐ILD as they are for IIP.MethodsA total of 150 patients with IIP or SSc‐ILD who were evaluated by the CAT were retrospectively assigned to this study. Clinical data at the visit for the CAT were analysed.ResultsThe forced vital capacity and distance walked during the 6‐minute walk test (6MWD) were significantly correlated with the CAT score for SSc‐ILD and IIP, and the CAT scores were similarly distributed in SSc‐ILD and IIP. The CAT score of SSc‐ILD patients was negatively affected by pulmonary arterial hypertension, but not by corticosteroids, which affected it in IIP patients. CAT scores of patients with either disease receiving home oxygen therapy were poor. In multiple regression analysis, pulmonary arterial hypertension and 6MWD were independent predictors for the CAT score in patients with SSc‐ILD, while corticosteroid administration was selected as an independent factor in patients with IIP.ConclusionsOur study suggests that the CAT can be applied to evaluate the lung‐specific quality of life in SSc‐ILD similar to IIP regarding the pulmonary function, but it should be noted that pulmonary arterial hypertension in SSc‐ILD influences the CAT score.

Highlights

The chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) Assessment Test (CAT) is utilised to evaluate the treatment outcome regarding the health status in idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP)
As for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, which primarily impairs the lung, the COPD Assessment Test (CAT) score is correlated with the percentage of predicted forced vital capacity (FVC), the diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) and distance walked during the 6-minute walk test (6MWD).[8]
Connective tissue disease-associated interstitial lung disease (CTD-ILD) patients were evaluated by the CAT and it was reported to be significantly associated with the measures of pulmonary function, 6MWD and the Medical Research Council scale.[9]

Summary

Introduction

The COPD Assessment Test (CAT) is utilised to evaluate the treatment outcome regarding the health status in idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP). The CAT has been utilised to evaluate the health status of patients with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP).[7] As for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, which primarily impairs the lung, the CAT score is correlated with the percentage of predicted forced vital capacity (FVC), the diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) and distance walked during the 6-minute walk test (6MWD).[8]. Among CTDs, systemic sclerosis (SSc) prominently involves the skin tissue-related impairment of joint motion and the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) is commonly used to measure the quality of life based on physical disability in the patients.[10] SSc patients are known to frequently develop ILD, leading to mortality.[11] the items in the HAQ do not evaluate respiratory disorder and it is difficult to assess the accurate health status in terms of lung impairment in patients with systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD).[12,13]

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Results

Conclusion