ABSTRACT
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a significant cause of disability and death worldwide. It is often evaluated with outcome measures like lung function test (LFT), health status and BODE (Body mass, Obstruction, Dyspnoea and Exercise capacity) index, to initiate appropriate treatment. Objectives: To determine the association between the BODE index and COPD assessment test (CAT) in COPD patients. To ascertain the utility of CAT alone as an assessment tool for COPD patients in primary care setting and low resource countries. Methods: A cross-sectional study of sixty (60) patients with clinical and lung function test diagnosis of COPD were recruited consecutively from the outpatient clinic. The body mass index (BMI) of the patients, CAT scores, modified medical research council dyspnoea scale and sixminute walk distance test (6MWDT) was assessed and recorded. The individual score was summed up to obtain the BODE index score for the particular patients. Results: The mean age was 68.8years (± 10.3). There was a strong correlation between the BODE index and CAT scores (r= 0.77 P <0.0001). Inter-rater agreement between the tools (CAT and BODE index) was moderate (k=0.46). The CAT questionnaire also correlated well with the modified medical research council dyspnea scale, the six-minute walk test and the forced expiratory volume in the first second. Conclusion: CAT can serve as a simple, easy to administer tool for the assessment of patients with COPD especially in low resource countries and primary care setting.