COPD ASSESSMENT TEST (CAT) SCORE OF PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE BASED ON CLINICAL PHENOTYPES

Abstract

Background and Aims: Spanish chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) guideline classifies COPD into 4 clinical phenotypes: nonexacerbator (A), asthma-COPD overlap (B), exacerbator with emphysema (C) and exacerbator with bronchitis (D). Methods: A cross-sectional observational study of quality of life (QOL) of COPD patients utilizing COPD Assessment Test (CAT), conducted in University of Malaya Medical Center from 1 June 2017 – 31 May 2018. Results: Of 220 patients traeted for COPD, 189 patients with post bronchodilator Force Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1)/Force Vital Capacity (FVC) of <0.70 were recruited. Patients’ demographic, clinical characteristics and CAT score are as shown in Table 1. Patients with COPD phenotype C and D had poorer modified medical research center (MMRC) functional status and global initiative of COPD (GOLD) class based on their FEV1. Patients with phenotype D had significantly higher total CAT score than patients with other clinical phenotypes. Other than sleep quality, patients with phenotype D had significantly higher score in every other components, notably cough severity, phlegm volume, chest tightness, breathlessness upon walking uphill, activity limitation at home, ability toleave home and energy. There was no different in terms of total and components CAT score of patients with phenotype A, B and C. Conclusion: Patients with phenotype D had significant higher CAT score, thus poorer quality of life and higher tendency of execebration. This group of patients need better medical treatment and closer monitoring.