Assessing Severity of Chronic Obstructive lung disease Using CAT score among high altitude residents of Nepal

Abstract

Introduction: The goal of this study was to see if the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Assessment Test (CAT) score was beneficial in determining the severity of COPD patients. It produces a score that reflects the impact of the condition on their health status. GOLD guideline (2013) recommends CAT above other respiratory questionnaires since it is regarded to be a better assessment tool. Methods: Cross-sectional study conducted in Karnali Academy of Health Sciences,Jumla (Nepal) who presented with COPD exacerbation. A validated CAT questionnaire in the local language (Nepali) was employed and completed by the patient,then the total CAT score was calculated and grouped into four impact levels. Data was evaluated using descriptive statistics (such as percentage and mean) and Pearson's correlation tests to compare means. Results: Out of 55 patients, 52.7% were females, all had firewood exposure with current smoking history more prevalent in the high-impact group 0.5%. At 3 months, the median number of COPD exacerbations was 2 (range: 0–90) with median CAT score 30 (range: 17–37). Patients were divided into severity groups based on their CAT scores. 47.3% were in the high impact group, whereas none were in the low impact group. The “very high impact” group had a considerably higher median number of exacerbations than the other high impact and medium groups (5 vs. 2 and 0) respectively with p<0.001. In the “very high impact” group, significant use of inhalers in form of salbutamol or long acting bronchodilators in combination with steroid was seen. Conclusion: CAT score was found higher in frequent exacerbates.Thus,useful in monitoring patients health status and treatment. Footnotes Cite this article as: ERJ Open Research 2022; 8: Suppl. 9, 19. This article was presented at the 2022 ERS Respiratory Failure and Mechanical Ventilation Conference, in session “Poster Session 2”. This is an ERS Respiratory Failure and Mechanical Ventilation Conference abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at [www.ers-education.org][1] (ERS member access only). [1]: http://www.ers-education.org