TO STUDY THE CORRELATION BETWEEN SPIROMETRY AND CAT SCORE IN PATIENTS OF COPD

BACKGROUNDThe objective of this study is to study the correlation between spirometry and CAT score in patients of COPD. MATERIALS AND METHODSAll the patients attending the OPD within the study period with history of breathlessness on exertion were evaluated.The diagnosis of COPD was made after spirometry and patients were accordingly classified on the basis of GOLD Guideline.CAT (COPD assessment test) questionnaire were being filled up by these patients who made the study group and classified into four groups according to their scores.The correlation between the two were analysed using various statistical tests. RESULTSOut of all the patients, total 90 patients of COPD were enrolled in the study.Among these, the mean age of the patients were 61.52 ± 6.4 (48 -72), 77 (85.5%) were males and 13 (14.4%)were females; 85.5% had smoking history and 14.4% had history of biomass exposure.Majority of the patients (63.7%) were falling in Group 2 of CAT score indicating medium airflow obstruction.Patients with severe COPD (Stage III and IV) had similarly higher CAT scores showing a direct correlation, which was significant (p < 0.001).Patients in whom post bronchodilator FEV1% was significantly decreased had significantly increased CAT scores (p < 0.001), showing an inverse correlation between the two. CONCLUSIONIncorporation of CAT score can help in early detection and proper management of COPD patients, especially in resource poor setting, where spirometry is not feasible.