CAT predicts mortality in COPD patients who require LTOT

Abstract

Background: Studies showed good correlation between CAT score and mortality in COPD patients. Aim: To study the relationship between CAT score, mortality and exacerbations in COPD patients who require LTOT. Methods: Patients with severe hypoxemia with indications for LTOT were followed up for three years with assessment of symptoms, hospitalizations and mortality. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between CAT score, mortality and hospitalizations. Results: A total of 111 patients were included. Mean age of the patients was 65.7±9.6 years. Men predominated with 81.3%. Only 34.2% of the patient had access to LTOT. Mortality was significantly higher in patients without access to LTOT - 60.3% versus 34.2% in patients on LTOT (p Symptoms assessed with CAT showed mean score of 28.8±4.3 for patients without LTOT versus 23.4±4.3 for patients on LTOT (p 0.05). Regression analysis revealed a negative predictive value of CAT showing that score higher than 10 was associated with 11 months increase in mortality (R=0.53, p Conclusion: Evaluation of symptoms with CAT has good prognostic value when assessing the risk in patients with indications for LTOT. The test is also superior when evaluating the result of treatment with LTOT compared to the mMRC scale. Modified MRC scale is also less informative than CAT probably due to the severity of the dyspnea in all patients indicated for LTOT.