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The aim was to test the internal consistency of the Greenlandic version of the COPD Assessment Test (CAT) questionnaire and to estimate the symptom burden in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Greenland using the CAT questionnaire. A Greenlandic version of the CAT questionnaire was developed including forward translation, reconciliation, backwards translation, and pilot test. Afterwards, a cross-sectional study of patients with COPD was conducted. The internal consistency assessed by the Cronbach α coefficient was 0.823 for the Greenlandic version of the questionnaire (n = 103). The CAT was negatively correlated to spirometry values and current smoking. In the cross-sectional study (n = 250), 81.1% of the patients experienced a high symptom burden (≥10). The main CAT score was 17 (range 0-38). The CAT was used in 9 out of 17 towns in Greenland. The Greenlandic version of the CAT questionnaire demonstrated a good internal consistency. We observed a high burden of symptoms associated with reduced lung function and active smoking status among patient diagnosed with COPD in Greenland. The questionnaire can be used in clinical practice for assessment of symptom burden in patients with COPD in Greenland and may help to increase focus on symptom control and quality of care.

Background Patients with early lung cancer often undergo surgery. However, surgery usually results in a decline in health‐related quality of life (HRQL). Several questionnaires have previously been used to assess HRQL but some are impractical for clinical use. The chronic obstructive pulmonary disease assessment test (CAT) is simple and has been widely used in respiratory diseases but not for lung cancer. We therefore conducted this study to clarify the role of the CAT in postoperative deterioration and recovery of HRQL. Methods Fifty‐five patients who underwent lung resection were recruited into the study. Cardiopulmonary exercise tests and respiratory muscle strength were performed 1 week before surgery (pre‐OP) and at post‐OP 1 month. HRQL was assessed through the CAT and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Core Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ‐C30) 1 week pre‐OP and post‐OP 1 and at 2 months. Results Fifteen (27.3%) patients underwent wedge resection, four (7.3%) underwent segmentectomy, and 36 (65.5%) underwent lobectomy. After lobectomy, exercise capacity decreased significantly. The deterioration of CAT symptoms (cough, phlegm, chest tightness, dyspnea, activity, confidence, sleep disturbance, and lack of energy) was more prominent in patients who had undergone lobectomy than wedge resection. Based on the EORTC QLQ‐C30, physical, role function, fatigue, pain, sleep disturbance, dyspnea, and global health status worsened significantly, whereas there was no significant difference in other symptoms. HRQL recovered at post‐OP 2 months in patients who had undergone wedge resection but not lobectomy. Conclusions Postoperative HRQL and exercise capacity in patients were significantly reduced, especially those who had undergone lobectomy. The CAT significantly reflected postoperative changes in HRQL.

Bakgrund och syfte Kroniskt Obstruktiv Lungsjukdom (KOL) är en sjukdom som påverkar den fysiska aktivitetsnivån. Patientgruppen minskar sin fysiska aktivitetsnivå, vanligtvis på grund av ökad dyspné vid ansträngning, vilket är en primär faktor till förhinder i dagliga aktivitet. Strategier för ökning av fysisk aktivitetsnivå är av stor vikt. För undersökning av fysisk aktivitet används både objektiva och subjektiva metoder. Samband mellan dessa i en frisk population är låg, där överskattning på frågeformulär förekommer. I studien undersöks sambandet mellan objektivt mätt och subjektivt skattad aktivitetsnivå och symtomskattning hos personer med KOL. Även separat för kvinnor respektive män. Metod Projektet är del av en större studie vid Umeå universitet. Fysisk aktivitetsnivå mättes med accelerometer (Dynaport, McRoberts BV) och Socialstyrelsens indikatorfrågor. Symtom mättes med COPD Assessment Test (CAT). Dataanalys gjordes med Spearman´s rangkorrelationskoefficient i Jamovi 2.3.17.0. Resultat Hela gruppen, kvinnor och män visade låga samband mellan objektivt mätt och subjektivt skattad aktivitetsnivå (r= 0.309, p=

Background: No short patient-reported outcome (PRO) instruments assess overall health status across different obstructive lung diseases. Thus, the wording of the introduction to the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Assessment Test (CAT) was modified to permit use in asthma and/or COPD. This tool is called the Chronic Airways Assessment Test (CAAT). Methods: The psychometric properties of the CAAT were evaluated using baseline data from the NOVELTY study (NCT02760329) in patients with physician-assigned asthma, asthma + COPD or COPD. Analyses included exploratory/confirmatory factor analyses, differential item functioning and analysis of construct validity. Responses to the CAAT and CAT were compared in patients with asthma + COPD and those with COPD. Results: CAAT items were internally consistent (Cronbach's alpha: > 0.7) within each diagnostic group (n = 510). Models for structural and measurement invariance were strong. Tests of differential item functioning showed small differences between asthma and COPD in individual items, but these were not consistent in direction and had minimal overall impact on the total score. The CAAT and CAT were highly consistent when assessed in all NOVELTY patients who completed both (N = 277, Pearson's correlation coefficient: 0.90). Like the CAT itself, CAAT scores correlated moderately (0.4-0.7) to strongly (> 0.7) with other PRO measures and weakly (< 0.4) with spirometry measures. Conclusions: CAAT scores appear to reflect the same health impairment across asthma and COPD, making the CAAT an appropriate PRO instrument for patients with asthma and/or COPD. Its brevity makes it suitable for use in clinical studies and routine clinical practice.Trial registration: NCT02760329.

Bakgrund Kroniskt obstruktiv lungsjukdom (KOL) är en av de sjukdomar som orsakar flest dödsfall världen över. Personer med KOL når sällan upp till rekommenderade aktivitetsnivåer, kan erhålla ett långsammare sjukdomsförlopp, en bättre bättre livskvalitet (QoL), samt bättre hälso relaterad livskvalitet (HRQoL) om de upprätthåller rekomenderade fysiska aktivitetsnivåer. Syfte Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka sambandet mellan objektivt mätt intensitet vid fysisk aktivitet och QoL samt HRQoL hos personer med KOL, samt skillnader mellan män och kvinnor. Vidare undersöka sambandet mellan objektivt mätt fysisk aktivitet mätt i antal steg och QoL samt HRQoL. Metod Antal steg i vardagen samt durationen i moderat till hög intensitet (MVPA) mättes objektivt med en accelerometer (DynaPort, McRoberts BV, The Netherlands). QoL mättes med en visuell ordinalskala i EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D) och HRQoL skattades med formulären COPD Assessment Test (CAT), Modified Medical Research Council Questionnaire (mMRC). Spearman´s rangkorrelationskoefficiet (rho) användes för att undersöka korrelationen i statistikprogramvaran Jamovi. Resultat Sambandet mellan MVPA och QoL (EQ-5D) HRQoL (CAT, mMRC) samt HRQoL (CAT, mMRC) för hela gruppen visade liten eller ingen korrelation förutom för mMRC som visade en låg korrelation, (rho= -.327, p=

Anna J Hussey,1 Kevin Wing,2 Madonna Ferrone,1,3 Christopher J Licskai1,4– 6 1Asthma Research Group Windsor-Essex County Inc., Windsor, ON, Canada; 2London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK; 3Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare, Windsor, ON, Canada; 4London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON, Canada; 5Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada; 6Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, CanadaCorrespondence: Christopher J LicskaiSchulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, CanadaEmail chris.licskai@sjhc.London.on.caPurpose: Integrated disease management (IDM) for COPD in primary care has been primarily investigated under clinical trial conditions. We previously published a randomized controlled trial (RCT) where the IDM intervention improved quality of life (QoL) and exacerbation-related outcomes. In this study, we assess the same IDM intervention in a real-world evaluation and identify patient characteristics associated with improved outcomes.Methods: This historical cohort study included patients enrolled for 12 (± 3 months) in the Best Care COPD IDM program. The main outcome was a ≥ 3 point improvement in COPD assessment test (CAT). Secondary outcomes were COPD exacerbations requiring antibiotics and/or prednisone, unscheduled physician visits, emergency department visits and hospitalizations.Results: Data for 571 patients (all patients) were included, 158 met the reference RCT eligibility (RCT matched). Improved QoL was observed in 43% (95% CI:38.9,47.2) of all patients, 47% (95% CI:39.5,55.6) of RCT matched vs 92% (95% CI:79.2,95.1) in the reference RCT intervention arm (n=72). Reductions (12 months IDM vs prior year) were observed in the proportion of patients experiencing exacerbation-related events (all patients): antibiotics/prednisone (− 9.0%,95% CI:-13.9,-3.9); unscheduled physician (− 33.1%,95% CI:-38.2,-27.9); emergency department (− 9.6%,95% CI:-13.5,-5); and hospitalizations (− 6.8%,95% CI:-10.0,-3.7). For the RCT matched group all reductions were comparable to the reference RCT intervention arm. The strongest predictors of improved QoL were baseline CAT, CAT≥ 20 vs CAT< 10 (OR 15.6,95% CI:7.91,30.83), GOLD group B (OR 6.4,95% CI:3.42,11.85) and D (OR 5.64,95% CI:2.80,11.37) vs GOLD group A. Patients with prior antibiotic/prednisone use, FEV1 < 30% predicted and GOLD group D were less likely to have no urgent health service utilization (OR 0.5,95% CI:0.30,0.68), (OR 0.2,95% CI:0.07,0.78) and (OR 0.3,95% CI:0.14,0.51), respectively.Conclusion: Best Care COPD improved QoL and reduced exacerbation-related outcomes in a manner directionally similar to the RCT from which it emanated. Baseline QoL, exacerbation history, and GOLD category were identified as possible predictors of IDM impact and will inform future program development and resource allocation.Keywords: chronic disease management, COPD assessment test, health service utilization, health status, quality of life

Arto Yuwono Soeroto,1 Dadan Setiawan,2 Nabila Nauli Asriputri,3 Guntur Darmawan,4 Geraldo Laurus,3 Prayudi Santoso1 1Division of Respiratory and Critical Illness, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Padjadjaran, Hasan Sadikin General Hospital, Bandung, Indonesia; 2Department of Internal Medicine, Occupational Health General Hospital, Bandung, West Java, Indonesia; 3Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Padjadjaran, Hasan Sadikin General Hospital, Bandung, Indonesia; 4Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Krida Wacana Christian University, Jakarta, IndonesiaCorrespondence: Arto Yuwono Soeroto Tel +62 811 246 930Email aysoeroto@yahoo.co.idPurpose: This study aimed to assess the association between vitamin D levels and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), number of exacerbations, and symptoms based on COPD assessment test (CAT) scores in stable COPD patients in Indonesia.Patients and Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted. Subjects were stable COPD patients who were treated at a pulmonary clinic in a tertiary referral hospital in West Java from March to June 2018.Results: Thirty subjects were recruited this study with an average age 62± 8 years. The mean vitamin D level was 20.17± 8.91 ng/mL. Half of the patients had low vitamin D level (< 20ng/mL) (50%). The mean FEV1 (%) predicted value was 37.2± 14. The median exacerbation per year was 1 (0– 5) and symptoms based on CAT score was 14 (3– 34). No correlation was found between vitamin D levels and FEV1 (%) predicted value (r=0.126, p=0.253). Vitamin D level was inversely correlated with number of exacerbations (r=− 0.639, p< 0.001) and CAT (r= − 0.802, p< 0.001).Conclusion: Low level of vitamin D was associated with more frequent exacerbation and higher CAT scores but was not associated with FEV1 (%) predicted.Keywords: COPD, vitamin D, FEV1, CAT score

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common preventable and treatable chronic respiratory diseases. The BODE, ADO, DOSE are the composite indices taking into consideration for prognostication. In addition, COPD assessment test (CAT) score is associated with quality of life, taken for assessing symptoms severity and for personalizing treatments. Objective: To investigate the CAT score in Thai COPD patients according to their BODE, ADO, and DOSE in the influence of clinical parameters and outcomes. Methods: Medical records were reviewed between January 2016 and December 2016. BODE, ADO and DOSE was calculated based on their individual components. Results: Total 125 consecutive COPD patients were recruited. There was difference between CAT score among the GOLD stages classified (P = .02). There was significant difference of CAT between 4 BODE quartiles in cohort (P = .001).Thai COPD patients had the higher ADO index exhibit the higher CAT score than those with the lower ADO index (P = .001). There was no difference in CAT score between COPD with the higher and the lower DOSE index (P = .05). Conclusions: The higher CAT score found in Thai COPD patients with the higher composite indices of BODE and ADO. However, there was no difference in the DOSE index.

Hyun-Il Gil,1,* Sungmin Zo,2,* Paul W Jones,3,4 Bo-Guen Kim,2 Noeul Kang,2 Yeonseok Choi,5 Hyun Kyu Cho,6 Danbee Kang,7 Juhee Cho,7 Hye Yun Park,2 Sun Hye Shin2 1Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea; 2Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea; 3Institute For Infection and Immunity, St George’s University of London, London, UK; 4Value Evidence and Outcomes, Global Medical R&D, GlaxoSmithKline, Uxbridge, UK; 5Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea; 6Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Samsung Changwon Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Changwon, Republic of Korea; 7Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Sciences & Technology (SAIHST), Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Republic of Korea*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Sun Hye Shin; Hye Yun ParkDivision of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of KoreaTel +82-2-3410-3429Fax +82-2-3410-3849Email freshsunhye@gmail.com; hyeyunpark@skku.eduPurpose: The chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) assessment test (CAT) is widely used to assess the impact of COPD symptoms on health status. Whilst the CAT consists of eight different items, details on the distribution of each item are limited. This study aimed to investigate the distribution and clinical implication of each CAT item, stratified by CAT severity group, in stable COPD patients.Patients and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study at a single referral hospital in South Korea. Spirometry confirmed COPD patients with CAT measured at the first clinical visit were retrospectively identified. Patients were categorized into three groups: low (0 ≤ CAT < 10), medium (10 ≤ CAT < 20), and high (20 ≤ CAT ≤ 40) impact group. For the purpose of this analysis, the first four items (cough, sputum, chest tightness, and dyspnea) and the remaining four items (activities, confidence, sleep and energy) were also grouped as “pulmonary” and “extra-pulmonary”, respectively.Results: A total of 815 patients were included, and mean (SD) forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) was 62.8 (17.4) % pred. Among them, 300 patients (36.8%) were in the high impact group and had a greater exacerbation history and lower lung function. The proportion of “extra-pulmonary” items score was greater in patients with higher total CAT scores, with the activity and confidence items showing higher scores.Conclusion: In our study, in addition to dyspnea, activity limitation is a particular problem in individual patients with higher CAT total scores, for which physicians need to pay more attention. Our study suggests that whilst CAT total score captures the overall impact of COPD, each item of the CAT contains potentially useful information in understanding the patient’s symptom burden.Keywords: COPD, COPD assessment test, patient reported outcome, symptom

Hyun-Il Gil,1,* Sungmin Zo,2,* Paul W Jones,3,4 Bo-Guen Kim,2 Noeul Kang,2 Yeonseok Choi,5 Hyun Kyu Cho,6 Danbee Kang,7 Juhee Cho,7 Hye Yun Park,2 Sun Hye Shin2 1Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea; 2Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea; 3Institute For Infection and Immunity, St George’s University of London, London, UK; 4Value Evidence and Outcomes, Global Medical R&D, GlaxoSmithKline, Uxbridge, UK; 5Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea; 6Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Samsung Changwon Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Changwon, Republic of Korea; 7Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Sciences & Technology (SAIHST), Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Republic of Korea*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Sun Hye Shin; Hye Yun ParkDivision of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of KoreaTel +82-2-3410-3429Fax +82-2-3410-3849Email freshsunhye@gmail.com; hyeyunpark@skku.eduPurpose: The chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) assessment test (CAT) is widely used to assess the impact of COPD symptoms on health status. Whilst the CAT consists of eight different items, details on the distribution of each item are limited. This study aimed to investigate the distribution and clinical implication of each CAT item, stratified by CAT severity group, in stable COPD patients.Patients and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study at a single referral hospital in South Korea. Spirometry confirmed COPD patients with CAT measured at the first clinical visit were retrospectively identified. Patients were categorized into three groups: low (0 ≤ CAT < 10), medium (10 ≤ CAT < 20), and high (20 ≤ CAT ≤ 40) impact group. For the purpose of this analysis, the first four items (cough, sputum, chest tightness, and dyspnea) and the remaining four items (activities, confidence, sleep and energy) were also grouped as “pulmonary” and “extra-pulmonary”, respectively.Results: A total of 815 patients were included, and mean (SD) forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) was 62.8 (17.4) % pred. Among them, 300 patients (36.8%) were in the high impact group and had a greater exacerbation history and lower lung function. The proportion of “extra-pulmonary” items score was greater in patients with higher total CAT scores, with the activity and confidence items showing higher scores.Conclusion: In our study, in addition to dyspnea, activity limitation is a particular problem in individual patients with higher CAT total scores, for which physicians need to pay more attention. Our study suggests that whilst CAT total score captures the overall impact of COPD, each item of the CAT contains potentially useful information in understanding the patient’s symptom burden.Keywords: COPD, COPD assessment test, patient reported outcome, symptom

Quality of life (QOL) is an important patient-related outcome (PRO) in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). There are several QOL questionnaires like the "Cystic Fibrosis Questionnaire Revised" (CFQ-R) or the "St George's Respiratory Questionnaire" (SGRQ) that are well validated in CF. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether the easily applicable "COPD assessment test" (CAT) can be used in CF patients.42 CF patients were recruited within the PulmoHOM study, a prospective, observational cohort study. The CAT, the SGRQ and the CFQ-R were handed out to the patients. The spearman's rank correlation coefficient and the Cronbach's α coefficient were used for the statistical analysis.The internal consistencies of the CAT, SGRQ and the CFQ-R were high (Cronbach's α coefficients = 0.89, 0.91 and 0.83). There were significant correlations between the CAT and the total score of the SGRQ (r = 0.851, p 0.01), between the CAT and many items of the CFQ-R (physical score of the CFQ-R and total score of the CAT: r = -0.872, p 0.01) and between the SGRQ and the CFQ-R (physical score of the CFQ-R and total score of the SGRQ: r = -0.878, p 0.01).The main finding was the high correlation between the CAT and the validated questionnaires in CF. The CAT is a PRO instrument that can be filled quickly and that correlates well with the CFQ-R. The CAT or similar tools might be applicable in the care of CF patients.

Background To compare peramivir 300 mg single‐dose, peramivir 600 mg repeat‐dose, and oseltamivir effects on health‐related quality of life, including respiratory symptoms and general conditions, time to symptom alleviation, time to fever resolution, incidence of exacerbations, and virus titer, in influenza patients with chronic respiratory disease. Methods We report additional outcomes from a 2‐week, multicenter, randomized, open‐label study in Japan (UMIN000030118). Influenza patients with chronic respiratory disease received intravenous peramivir (300 mg single‐dose [n = 66], 600 mg repeat‐dose [600 mg/d of 2 consecutive days; n = 70]) or oral oseltamivir (75 mg twice daily, 5 days; n = 72). The principal endpoint of this analysis was change from baseline to Day 14 at each time point in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Assessment Test (CAT) scores. Results Both peramivir regimens reduced total CAT score at Day 3 more than oseltamivir (peramivir 600 mg vs oseltamivir, P = .0032; peramivir 300 mg vs oseltamivir, P = .0203). Cough/phlegm CAT scores were most improved with peramivir 600 mg. Median time to alleviation of three respiratory symptoms was longer with peramivir 600 mg (68.9 hours) than with peramivir 300 mg (50.6 hours, hazard ratio [HR] 1.57; P = .0191) and shorter with peramivir 300 mg than oseltamivir (78.8 hours, HR 0.62; P = .0141). Alleviation of seven influenza symptoms and fever resolution was shortest with peramivir 300 mg. Conclusions Rapid improvement in CAT score, including cough, and shorter time to alleviation of respiratory symptoms associated with peramivir is of potential benefit to patients with chronic respiratory disease.

BACKGROUND: The 6‐min walking test (6MWT) is responsive to physiological changes and pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) in patients with asthma. The minimal clinically important difference (MCID) has not been established yet.OBJECTIVE: To determine the MCID of 6MWT in patients with asthma.METHODS: Using the perceived change in walking ability and the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) score as anchors, receiver operating characteristic curves and quantile regression, we evaluated 6MWT before and after PR in these patients. The St George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), the COPD assessment test (CAT) and other outcome measures were also assessed.RESULTS: Of 142 patients with asthma, 37 were enrolled. After PR, 6MWT increased from 453.4 m ± 88.8 to 493.0 m ± 97.2 (P = 0.0001); other outcome measures also increased. There was a slight correlation between baseline 6MWT and SGRQ, CAT and mMRC. No significant correlations were found between post‐PR changes in 6MWT and in other outcome measures. Comparing different methods of assessment, the MCID ranged from 26 m to 27 m.CONCLUSION: The most conservative estimate of the MCID of 6MWT after PR was 26 m in patients with asthma. This estimate may be useful in clinical interpretation of data, particularly in response to intervention studies.

Background The concept of clinical control has been proposed as an instrument for evaluating patients with COPD. However, the possible association between clinical control, reduced symptom severity and HRQoL has yet to be confirmed. Methods This multicentre, prospective and observational study was carried out in 15 pulmonology clinics in Spain. The patients were followed up for six months, with a baseline visit (V0), followed by visits at three months (V1) and six months (V2). Clinical control was determined at V1, with the application of both clinical criteria and the COPD assessment test (CAT). All patients reported their symptoms by a validated symptom diary (E-RS) using a portable device, and their HRQoL was assessed using the EQ5D questionnaire. The relationship between clinical control and E-RS and HRQoL during follow-up was assessed with t-test. Results A total of 126 patients were screened. After application of the inclusion/exclusion criteria, 93 were finally included (mean age 66 ± 8 years, 84.9% male), with a mean FEV1 predicted of 49.8% ± 16.5%. Of these patients, 44 (47.3%) achieved clinical control at V1, according to CAT criteria, and 50 (53.8%), according to clinical criteria. The E-RS scores differed between controlled and uncontrolled patients at all time points, both according to CAT (mean differences of -4.6, -5.6 and -6.2 units at V0, V1 and V2, respectively, p

Introduction The Global Organization of Lung Disease (GOLD) classifies patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) taking into account the symptoms. The modified Medical Research Council's dyspnea scale (mMRC) and the COPD assessment test (CAT) are used to assess these symptoms. In this study, we analyze the concordance of GOLD classification using mMRC and CAT. Patients and methods This is an observational study of a cohort of 169 patients with COPD, who were classified following the GOLD 2017 recommendations, using both mMRC and CAT. A concordance analysis was applied, and a ROC curve was generated to identify the CAT score that best concorded with the mMRC scale. Results The concordance for the GOLD groups classified by CAT and mMRC was moderate (kappa 0.492). For mMRC score of 1 and 2, a CAT score of ≥9 and ≥16 showed the maximum value of the Youden index, respectively. By reclassifying the patients with the new cut-off points obtained, the best concordance was obtained between the cut-off point for CAT of 16 and for mMRC of 2, followed by CAT of 9 and mMRC of 1. Conclusion Because of the deficient concordance between CAT and mMRC, we propose the use of new cut-off points in future updates of the GOLD strategy.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an important disease worldwide in both high-income and low-income countries. Dust has been known to increase COPD risk. During sweeping activity, sweepers are exposed to dust. The street sweepers are exposed to dust particles, bioaerosols, and various harmful gases. In this study we evaluates the prevalence of COPD among street sweepers in Jakarta Method: This is a cross-sectional study among 153 street sweepers in Jakarta, Indonesia with age more than 40 years old with working period more than 2 years. Subjects were collected by cluster sampling method based on working location correlated with Jakarta regional district area. COPD was diagnosed by using questionnaires of COPD Assessment Test (CAT), The Modified British Medical Research Council (mMRC), spirometry examination based on Pneumobile Project Indonesia, and bronchodilator test if there was obstructive results. Results: A total of 153 subjects was selected for spirometry examination. The prevalence of COPD among street sweepers in Jakarta, Indonesia was 10 of 153 subject (6.5%). Six of them were males (60%), do not use face mask (80%), working years >10 years (70%), smokers (60%), and BMI ≤25 kg/m2 (80%). There was a statistically significant relationship between age and COPD (p˂0,05). Conclusion: Prevalence of COPD among street sweepers in Jakarta is 6.5%. Factor related to the occurrence of COPD is age.

Guidelines of treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) identify symptom reduction and prevention of exacerbations as the main goals of therapy. Initial pharmacological treatment must be guided by these parameters, and effectiveness must be assessed at each clinical visit. However, there is no clear guidance as to how this assessment must be performed. The concept of control has been well developed in asthma, but it has been elusive in COPD. Patients with COPD may not be completely free from symptoms or exacerbations even under optimized therapy; therefore, control in COPD does not mean cure or absence of symptoms, but rather reaching the best clinical status possible according to the level of disease severity. A control tool has been developed based on a cross sectional evaluation of the impact of the disease and a longitudinal evaluation of stability. Low impact is a disease status defined by at least 3 of the following: low levels of dyspnoea, absence of or white sputum, low use of rescue medication and self-declared walking time of more than 30 minutes a day, and stability is the absence of moderate or severe exacerbations in the previous 3 months. Control can also be defined by COPD Assessment Test (CAT) scores ≤ 10 units for patients with FEV1 ≥ 50% and 16 for patients with FEV1 < 50% and stability as a change in CAT ≤ 2 units. Control of COPD is then defined as a status of low impact and stability. The control tool has been validated prospectively in several studies and has demonstrated to be sensitive to clinical changes and to have a good predictive value for poor outcomes. Clinical criteria are more reliable than CAT scores for the evaluation of control. The control tool is a quick and inexpensive method to evaluate clinical status and future risk of exacerbations that can be used at all levels of healthcare.

Guidelines of treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) identify symptom reduction and prevention of exacerbations as the main goals of therapy. Initial pharmacological treatment must be guided by these parameters, and effectiveness must be assessed at each clinical visit. However, there is no clear guidance as to how this assessment must be performed. The concept of control has been well developed in asthma, but it has been elusive in COPD. Patients with COPD may not be completely free from symptoms or exacerbations even under optimized therapy; therefore, control in COPD does not mean cure or absence of symptoms, but rather reaching the best clinical status possible according to the level of disease severity. A control tool has been developed based on a cross sectional evaluation of the impact of the disease and a longitudinal evaluation of stability. Low impact is a disease status defined by at least 3 of the following: low levels of dyspnoea, absence of or white sputum, low use of rescue medication and self-declared walking time of more than 30 minutes a day, and stability is the absence of moderate or severe exacerbations in the previous 3 months. Control can also be defined by COPD Assessment Test (CAT) scores ≤ 10 units for patients with FEV1 ≥ 50% and 16 for patients with FEV1 < 50% and stability as a change in CAT ≤ 2 units. Control of COPD is then defined as a status of low impact and stability. The control tool has been validated prospectively in several studies and has demonstrated to be sensitive to clinical changes and to have a good predictive value for poor outcomes. Clinical criteria are more reliable than CAT scores for the evaluation of control. The control tool is a quick and inexpensive method to evaluate clinical status and future risk of exacerbations that can be used at all levels of healthcare.

Purpose A number of analyses have shown the immediate impact of COPD exacerbations on health status. However, none evaluated the long-term correlation between health status and the occurrence of exacerbations. Methods DACCORD is an observational study in patients with COPD recruited across Germany following initiation or change in COPD maintenance medication. Data collected include COPD Assessment Test (CAT) total score on entry and after 1 and 2 years, and the occurrence of exacerbations. We analysed the correlation between change from baseline in CAT total score and exacerbations, after excluding patients who exacerbated during the quarter immediately prior to the CAT assessment of interest. Results The initial correlation analysis was performed in 6075 patients, 28% with ≥ 1 exacerbation over the 2-year follow-up, and 58% with a clinically relevant CAT improvement. There was a significant correlation between exacerbations over 2 years and CAT change from baseline at Year 2 (p = 0.0041). The Spearman’s correlation coefficient was 0.03711, indicating very weak correlation—potentially driven by the high proportion of non-exacerbating patients. In a subsequent logistic regression, the probability of experiencing frequent (≥ 2 per year) or severe exacerbations was higher in patients with worsening in CAT total score (p Conclusions In this population (initiating or changing maintenance COPD medication), patients with frequent or severe exacerbations had a long-term worsening in health status (beyond the acute effect of an exacerbation) compared with patients who do not exacerbate.

Background Control has been proposed as a dynamic tool that can capture changes in the clinical status of patients with COPD. Methods This prospective, multicenter, observational study aimed to compare changes in control over a 3-month period with changes in risk level, Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) stage, and clinical phenotype (nonexacerbator, asthma-COPD overlap, or exacerbator with emphysema or with chronic bronchitis). Control was defined as the presence of low clinical impact, assessed according to the degree of dyspnea, use of rescue medication, physical activity and sputum color, and clinical stability assessed by clinical changes and exacerbations in the last 3 months. Impact and stability were alternatively assessed with COPD Assessment Test (CAT) scores. Results We included 354 patients, with a mean FEV1 of 49.8% ± 16.9%. At 3 months, the proportion of controlled patients was 50.3% according to clinical evaluation and 47.8% according to CAT score. Eighty-seven patients (29.2%) changed their control status as assessed by clinical variables, and 85 patients (28.5%) changed their status according to CAT score. In contrast, the risk level only changed in 26 patients (8.7%) (P Conclusions In only 3 months, almost one-third of patients experienced changes in their control status. Changes in control status were significantly more frequent than changes in phenotype, risk level, and GOLD stage, and resulted in significant changes in health status.

Introduction:The COPD Assessment Test (CAT) is a simple method for assessing the impact of COPD on the patient`s health which is not validated with North African COPD patients. Objective:To determine the relationship between the CAT score and the SGRQ, anthropometric, dyspnea, severity of airflow obstruction and Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) stages in stable COPD patients. Material and Methods:It is a cross-sectional observational study. It consists of a convenience sample of COPD and Smokers subjects aged more than 30 years. Dyspnea was evaluated according to the modified British medical research council (mMRC) 4). Arabic versions of the SGRQ and CAT questionnaires were used. Spirometry was performed in accordance with international standards. Obstructive ventilator defect (OVD) grades and GOLD grades were identified. Results:A total sample of 150 (121 COPD) was collected. A negative correlation was found between CAT score and anthropometric and all functional parameters in the total sample. Correlations between CAT score and mMRC score, pulmonary age and SGRQ score were found in COPD group (p Conclusion:There is a strong relationship between CAT score and clinical and functional COPD components. Impact of this research on clinical medicine and basic science:COPD is a complex disease with multiple consequences which can impede the quality of life of patients. The latter can be evaluated by specific questionnaires. The most used questionnaire is St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). However, this health status measure is long and not practical for clinical routine use. Therefore, recently a new simple system evaluating health status was developed. It is the COPD Assessment Test (CAT), which was approved, in its French, English and Arabic version. It is a simple method for assessing the impact of COPD on the patient`s health. CAT is composed of only eight questions and a key is not needed to calculate a score. To our own knowledge, there are no studies about CAT scoring in and its relation with clinical and respiratory function characteristics in North Africa. Keywords:COPD- CAT score- SGRQ-FEV1- Spirometry

Konstantinos Kostikas,1 Theodoros I Vassilakopoulos,2,3 Nikos Tzanakis,4 Athanasios K Konstantinidis,1 Epameinondas N Kosmas,5 Spyros Papiris,6 Paschalis Steiropoulos,7 Effrosyni D Manali,6 Stylianos A Michaelides8,†, Grigorios Daskos9 1Respiratory Medicine Department, University Hospital of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece; 2Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece; 3Third Department of Critical Care Medicine, Evgenideio Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece; 4Department of Respiratory Medicine, University Hospital of Heraklion, Medical School, University of Crete, Crete, Greece; 5Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Metropolitan Hospital, Athens, Greece; 6Second Pulmonary Medicine Department, General University Hospital “Attikon”, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece; 7Pulmonology Clinic Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace/University General Hospital, Alexandroupolis, Greece; 8Department of Occupational Lung Disease and Tuberculosis, “Sismanogleio-Amalia Fleming” General Hospital, Athens, Greece; 9MENARINI HELLAS, Athens, Greece†Stylianos A Michaelides passed away on September 14, 2019Correspondence: Konstantinos KostikasRespiratory Medicine Department, University of Ioannina School of Medicine, Leoforos Stavrou Niarchou, Ioannina 45500, GreeceTel +30-2651007536Email ktkostikas@gmail.comPurpose: This multicenter, prospective, observational study aimed to supplement real-world evidence on the effects of aclidinium bromide on the quality of life (QoL), symptoms, and activity impairment of patients with COPD.Patients and Methods: Eligible patients were ≥ 40 years of age, newly initiated on aclidinium bromide as monotherapy or add-on therapy according to the product’s approved label. Patient-reported COPD assessment test (CAT), the severity of symptoms and their impact on daily activities, and the features of the Genuair® inhaler device were assessed at enrollment and at 12 weeks post-treatment onset.Results: Between 13 March 2015 and 29 January 2016, 285 eligible consenting patients (76.3% males; median age: 69.0 years; 26.0% newlydiagnosed with COPD) were enrolled by 15 hospital-based respiratory medicine specialists in Greece. Aclidinium bromide was initiated as add-on therapy to other inhaled maintenance medications in 73.1% of evaluable patients. The median (interquartile range [IQR]) baseline CAT score decreased from 14.0 (9.0– 20.0) to 10.0 (6.0– 15.0) points (p< 0.001) after 12 weeks of treatment, with 76.5% of the patients achieving a ≥ 2-point decrease. The severity of night-time and early-morning symptoms, assessed using a 5-point Likert-type scale, decreased from a median (IQR) of 1.0 (0.0– 2.0) to 0.0 (0.0– 1.0), and from 2.0 (1.0– 2.0) to 1.0 (1.0– 2.0), respectively (p< 0.001 for both). In patients with paired data, the prevalence of at least moderate night-time symptoms, early-morning symptoms, and daily activity impairment decreased from 28.2% to 19.1%, from 63.6% to 34.2%, and from 59.5% to 38.7%, respectively (p< 0.001 for all). Inhaler device features were assessed as “very good”/“good” by more than 90% of the patients. The adverse drug reaction rate was 1.4%.Conclusion: The study provides real-world evidence on the beneficial effects of aclidinium bromide on the patients’ QoL, symptom severity, and daily activity impairment, which are complemented by a favorable safety profile and high patient satisfaction with the inhaler device.Keywords: aclidinium, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD assessment test, daily activities, quality of life, symptoms

Konstantinos Kostikas,1 Theodoros I Vassilakopoulos,2,3 Nikos Tzanakis,4 Athanasios K Konstantinidis,1 Epameinondas N Kosmas,5 Spyros Papiris,6 Paschalis Steiropoulos,7 Effrosyni D Manali,6 Stylianos A Michaelides8,†, Grigorios Daskos9 1Respiratory Medicine Department, University Hospital of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece; 2Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece; 3Third Department of Critical Care Medicine, Evgenideio Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece; 4Department of Respiratory Medicine, University Hospital of Heraklion, Medical School, University of Crete, Crete, Greece; 5Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Metropolitan Hospital, Athens, Greece; 6Second Pulmonary Medicine Department, General University Hospital “Attikon”, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece; 7Pulmonology Clinic Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace/University General Hospital, Alexandroupolis, Greece; 8Department of Occupational Lung Disease and Tuberculosis, “Sismanogleio-Amalia Fleming” General Hospital, Athens, Greece; 9MENARINI HELLAS, Athens, Greece†Stylianos A Michaelides passed away on September 14, 2019Correspondence: Konstantinos KostikasRespiratory Medicine Department, University of Ioannina School of Medicine, Leoforos Stavrou Niarchou, Ioannina 45500, GreeceTel +30-2651007536Email ktkostikas@gmail.comPurpose: This multicenter, prospective, observational study aimed to supplement real-world evidence on the effects of aclidinium bromide on the quality of life (QoL), symptoms, and activity impairment of patients with COPD.Patients and Methods: Eligible patients were ≥ 40 years of age, newly initiated on aclidinium bromide as monotherapy or add-on therapy according to the product’s approved label. Patient-reported COPD assessment test (CAT), the severity of symptoms and their impact on daily activities, and the features of the Genuair® inhaler device were assessed at enrollment and at 12 weeks post-treatment onset.Results: Between 13 March 2015 and 29 January 2016, 285 eligible consenting patients (76.3% males; median age: 69.0 years; 26.0% newlydiagnosed with COPD) were enrolled by 15 hospital-based respiratory medicine specialists in Greece. Aclidinium bromide was initiated as add-on therapy to other inhaled maintenance medications in 73.1% of evaluable patients. The median (interquartile range [IQR]) baseline CAT score decreased from 14.0 (9.0– 20.0) to 10.0 (6.0– 15.0) points (p< 0.001) after 12 weeks of treatment, with 76.5% of the patients achieving a ≥ 2-point decrease. The severity of night-time and early-morning symptoms, assessed using a 5-point Likert-type scale, decreased from a median (IQR) of 1.0 (0.0– 2.0) to 0.0 (0.0– 1.0), and from 2.0 (1.0– 2.0) to 1.0 (1.0– 2.0), respectively (p< 0.001 for both). In patients with paired data, the prevalence of at least moderate night-time symptoms, early-morning symptoms, and daily activity impairment decreased from 28.2% to 19.1%, from 63.6% to 34.2%, and from 59.5% to 38.7%, respectively (p< 0.001 for all). Inhaler device features were assessed as “very good”/“good” by more than 90% of the patients. The adverse drug reaction rate was 1.4%.Conclusion: The study provides real-world evidence on the beneficial effects of aclidinium bromide on the patients’ QoL, symptom severity, and daily activity impairment, which are complemented by a favorable safety profile and high patient satisfaction with the inhaler device.Keywords: aclidinium, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD assessment test, daily activities, quality of life, symptoms

Backgrounds: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is the leading cause morbidity and mortality worldwide. Cigarette smoke and noxious agent causing oxidative stress activated nuclear factor-κB then increase inflammatory genes releases. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate green tea have antiiinflammatory effect which can be use as addition therapy for stable COPD. Methods: This study aimed to analyze the effect of EGCG to absolute neutrophil count (ANC), serum MMP-9, %FEV1, and CAT score stable COPD patients. Clinical trials of experimental with pre-test and post-test design was conducted on 30 patients in Dr. Moewardi Hospital Surakarta from February-April 2017. Samples were taken by consecutive sampling divided into treatment group (n=15) received standard therapy and green tea capsule 2x500mg/day during 28 days and control group received only standard therapy (n=15). Decreased inflammation measured by ANC and serum MMP-9, improvement of obstruction measured by %FEV1, and clinic improvement measured by CAT score. Results: There were no significant differences (P=0.135) decrease ANC treatment group (-662.45±1446.80 µL) compared control (413.79±2292.90 µL), decrease serum MMP-9 (P=0.413) treatment group (-324.34±333.56 ng/ml) compared control (-181.21±577.52 ng/ml), %FEV1 (P=0.236) treatment group (2.56±10.77), compared control (-4.30±19.12), and significant difference (P=0.034) CAT score treatment group (-1.07±1.16) compared control (-0.20±1.08). Conclusions: The addition of green tea capsule 2x500 mg/day during 28 days was significantly lowered CAT score, decreasing ANC, serum MMP-9 and increasing %FEV1 but not significant. (J Respir Indo 2018; 38(1): 7-15)

Rationale: Cough and phlegm are common symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and may significantly affect quality of life. This study assessed the burden of cough and phlegm on clinical outcomes and quality of life among people with a self-reported physician diagnosis of COPD. Methods: Patient-reported data from the COPD Foundation’s Patient-Powered Research Network (COPD PPRN) were utilized. Cough and phlegm severity and frequency were assessed by responses to questions on the COPD Assessment Test (CAT) and categorized into none/low, moderate and severe. Quality of life domains were evaluated using the Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS-29). Associations between cough and phlegm levels and PROMIS-29 domains were examined using multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). Results: The 5286 participants were average age 64.4 years (SD=11.4), 87.9% white, 60.4% female, 51.2% married, and 42.2% with caregivers. Approximately three-fourths of the participants had moderate or severe cough or phlegm levels. Respondents with moderate and high cough or phlegm had significantly worse dyspnea (p

Introduction: Research on prediction and prevention of acute ex-acerbations in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) has become a priority since these events are frequent and have a negative impact on health status and disease progression. Dyspnoea and poor health status, which can be assessed with the modified Medical Research Council dyspnoea questionnaire (mMRC) and the COPD assessment test (CAT), respectively, have been as-sociated with an increased risk of AECOPD. Cut-off scores for pre-diction of AECOPD are, however, lacking for use in clinical practice.Objectives: To identify the cut-off scores of the mMRC and the CAT for determining risk of an AECOPD in the subsequent month.Methods: An observational, prospective study was conducted in people with COPD. At inclusion, people with COPD had to be clini-cally stable for at least 1 month, i.e., no hospital admissions, AE-COPD or changes in respiratory medication in the last month. Age, sex and lung function were collected cross-sectionally, at baseline, and participants were followed monthly for six months. Follow-up assessments included the mMRC, the CAT and the occurrence of an AECOPD in the previous month. Differences between people who suffered an AECOPD and those who did not suffer an AECOPD were explored with independent t-tests. Receiver operating characteris-tic analysis was performed and the area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were calculated. The optimal cut-off points were identified by the highest Younden index.Results: In total, 139 people with COPD (67.6 ± 8.8 years; 83.5% male; FEV1 53.6 ± 22.1% predicted) participated. From these, 35 (25.2%) suffered an AECOPD during follow-up. People suffering an AECOPD were older (70.3 ± 9.7 vs. 66.7 ± 8.3 years, p = 0.033) and had worse lung function (FEV1 43.3 ± 13.6 vs. 57.7 ± 23.2%predicted, p < 0.001) than participants who did not suffer an AECOPD. Cut-off scores of 1.5 for the mMRC (AUC = 0.67; 95%CI 0.57-0.76; 71.4% sen-sitivity; 53.8% specificity; accuracy = 0.58) and 16.5 for the CAT total score (AUC = 0.65; 95%CI 0.55-0.75; 45.7% sensitivity; 78.8% specific-ity; accuracy = 0.71) were found to discriminate between people who suffered or not an AECOPD in the subsequent month.Conclusions: The mMRC and the CAT are simple questionnaires with an acceptable discriminative ability and good accuracy in predicting short-term AECOPD. Cut-off scores of 1.5 in the mMRC and 16.5 in the CAT total score may be used to help detecting people with COPD at an increased risk of suffering an AECOPD. The screening of these questionnaires in routine clinical appointments may support clini-cians in identifying people at risk of an AECOPD and thus, possibly contribute to the implementation of timely cost-effective preven-tive strategies. published

Background/aim: Our aim is to determine the caregiver burden of chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) patient's caregivers, and to determine whether there is a workday loss. Materials and methods: 252 COPD patients and their caregivers were included. Disease information of the patients were recorded and a questionnaire was applied. Socio-demographic characteristics of the caregivers were recorded and a questionnaire consisting of 24 questions including COPD disease, treatment and loss of working days, and the Zarit Scale were used. Results: 128(50.8%) of the patients according to GOLD were group-D, 97(38.5%) of the patient's relatives were working, 62(24.7%) were not able to go to work for 1-14 days, and 125(57.1%) spent outside the home from 1-14 nights, because those accompanied to patients. In univariate analysis were detected modified medical research council (mMRC) (p < 0.001), CAT (p < 0.001), the number of comorbidities of patients (p = 0.027), forced expiratory volume in 1 FEV1cc (p = 0.009), FEV1% (p < 0.001), the presence of long term oxygen therapy (LTOT), and the number of comorbidities of the patient's relatives (p = 0.06) increased the care load. In multiple linear regression analysis, age (p = 0.03), COPD assessment test (CAT) score (p = 0.001), FEV1% (

Purpose Previous studies have used various definitions to classify chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients into chronic bronchitis (CB) and non-CB patients. This study was performed to identify differences among three definitions of CB based on the classical method, St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), and the CAT (COPD Assessment Test) score. Patients and methods We extracted data from the multicenter Korea COPD Subgroup Study (KOCOSS) cohort, for which patients recruited from among 47 medical centers in South Korea beginning in April 2012. Patients were classified according to three different definitions of CB: 1) classical definition; 2) SGRQ (using questions regarding cough and sputum); and 3) CAT score (comprising cough [CAT1] and sputum [CAT2] subscale scores). Results A total of 2694 patients were enrolled in this study. The proportions of CB were 10.8%, 35.8%, and 24.0% according to the classical, SGRQ, and CAT definitions, respectively. The three definitions yielded consistently significant differences between CB and non-CB patients in modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale CAT score, SGRQ score, number of moderate-to-severe exacerbations per year and forced expiratory volume in 1 second. By three definitions, CB consistently predicted future risk of exacerbation. The kappa coefficient of agreement between the classical definition and SGRQ definition was 0.29, that of the classical definition and CAT definition was 0.32, and that of the SGRQ definition and CAT definition was 0.44. Conclusion Patients with CB according to the new definitions based on SGRQ or CAT score showed similar clinical characteristics to those defined according to the classical definition. The new CB definitions may be used as alternatives to the classical definition.

Anna J Hussey,1 Kevin Wing,2 Madonna Ferrone,1,3 Christopher J Licskai1,4– 6 1Asthma Research Group Windsor-Essex County Inc., Windsor, ON, Canada; 2London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK; 3Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare, Windsor, ON, Canada; 4London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON, Canada; 5Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada; 6Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, CanadaCorrespondence: Christopher J LicskaiSchulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, CanadaEmail chris.licskai@sjhc.London.on.caPurpose: Integrated disease management (IDM) for COPD in primary care has been primarily investigated under clinical trial conditions. We previously published a randomized controlled trial (RCT) where the IDM intervention improved quality of life (QoL) and exacerbation-related outcomes. In this study, we assess the same IDM intervention in a real-world evaluation and identify patient characteristics associated with improved outcomes.Methods: This historical cohort study included patients enrolled for 12 (± 3 months) in the Best Care COPD IDM program. The main outcome was a ≥ 3 point improvement in COPD assessment test (CAT). Secondary outcomes were COPD exacerbations requiring antibiotics and/or prednisone, unscheduled physician visits, emergency department visits and hospitalizations.Results: Data for 571 patients (all patients) were included, 158 met the reference RCT eligibility (RCT matched). Improved QoL was observed in 43% (95% CI:38.9,47.2) of all patients, 47% (95% CI:39.5,55.6) of RCT matched vs 92% (95% CI:79.2,95.1) in the reference RCT intervention arm (n=72). Reductions (12 months IDM vs prior year) were observed in the proportion of patients experiencing exacerbation-related events (all patients): antibiotics/prednisone (− 9.0%,95% CI:-13.9,-3.9); unscheduled physician (− 33.1%,95% CI:-38.2,-27.9); emergency department (− 9.6%,95% CI:-13.5,-5); and hospitalizations (− 6.8%,95% CI:-10.0,-3.7). For the RCT matched group all reductions were comparable to the reference RCT intervention arm. The strongest predictors of improved QoL were baseline CAT, CAT≥ 20 vs CAT< 10 (OR 15.6,95% CI:7.91,30.83), GOLD group B (OR 6.4,95% CI:3.42,11.85) and D (OR 5.64,95% CI:2.80,11.37) vs GOLD group A. Patients with prior antibiotic/prednisone use, FEV1 < 30% predicted and GOLD group D were less likely to have no urgent health service utilization (OR 0.5,95% CI:0.30,0.68), (OR 0.2,95% CI:0.07,0.78) and (OR 0.3,95% CI:0.14,0.51), respectively.Conclusion: Best Care COPD improved QoL and reduced exacerbation-related outcomes in a manner directionally similar to the RCT from which it emanated. Baseline QoL, exacerbation history, and GOLD category were identified as possible predictors of IDM impact and will inform future program development and resource allocation.Keywords: chronic disease management, COPD assessment test, health service utilization, health status, quality of life

Objective To assess the frequency and severity of 24-hour respiratory symptoms according to COPD GOLD-ABCD classification (2017-version), the distribution of the patients with COPD into GOLD categories using mMRC (≥2) or CAT (≥10) scores, and agreement between these cut-off points. Methods In this cross-sectional study (LASSYC study), 24-hour day respiratory symptoms were assessed by the Evaluating Respiratory Symptoms in COPD (E-RS) questionnaire, Nighttime Symptoms of COPD Instrument (NiSCI), Early Morning Symptoms of COPD Instrument (EMSCI), CAT and mMRC scores. Results Among the 734 patients with COPD, 61% were male, age 69.6±8.7 years, FEV1% post-BD 49.1±17.5%, mMRC 1.8±1.0 and CAT 15.3±.8.1. By mMRC 33.7% were group-A, 29.2% group-B, 10.2% group-C and 26.9% group-D. By CAT 22.3% were group-A, 41% group-B, 4.8% group-C and 31.9% group-D. Using the mMRC the severity of E-RS, NiSCI and EMSCI scores increased from group A to D. Using the CAT, the groups B and D had the higher scores. Agreement between mMRC and CAT was 89.5% (Kappa statistics=75.7%). For mMRC score of 2, CAT score of ≥11 showed the maximum Youden’s index (1.34). For mMRC score of 1, CAT score of ≥9 and ≥10 showed the maximum Youden’s index (1.48). Conclusion GOLD COPD classification by CAT seems to better discriminate 24-hour symptoms. Results do not support the equivalent use of CAT≥10 and mMRC≥2 for assessing symptoms. RESUMO Objetivo Avaliar a frequência e gravidade dos sintomas respiratórios de 24 horas de acordo com a classificação COPD GOLD-ABCD (versão 2017), a distribuição dos pacientes com DPOC nas categorias GOLD usando escores mMRC (≥2) ou CAT (≥10) e concordância entre esses pontos de corte. Métodos Neste estudo transversal (estudo LASSYC), os sintomas respiratórios diários de 24 horas foram avaliados pelo questionário Avaliando os Sintomas Respiratórios em DPOC (Evaluating Respiratory Symptoms - E-RS), Instrumento de Sintomas Noturnos de DPOC (Nighttime Symptoms of COPD Instrument -NiSCI), Instrumento de Sintomas Matinais de DPOC (Early Morning Symptoms of COPD Instrument - EMSCI), pontuações CAT e mMRC. Resultados Entre os 734 pacientes com DPOC, 61% eram do sexo masculino, idade 69,6 ± 8,7 anos, VEF1% pós-BD 49,1 ± 17,5%, mMRC 1,8 ± 1,0 e CAT 15,3 ± 0,8,1. Por mMRC 33,7% eram do grupo A, 29,2% do grupo B, 10,2% do grupo C e 26,9% do grupo D. Por CAT, 22,3% eram do grupo A, 41% do grupo B, 4,8% do grupo C e 31,9% do grupo D. Usando o mMRC, a gravidade dos escores E-RS, NiSCI e EMSCI aumentou do grupo A para D. Usando o CAT, os grupos B e D tiveram os escores mais altos. A concordância entre mMRC e CAT foi de 89,5% (estatística Kappa = 75,7%). Para a pontuação mMRC de 2, a pontuação CAT ≥11 mostrou o índice de Youden máximo (1,34). Para a pontuação mMRC de 1, a pontuação CAT ≥9 e ≥10 mostrou o índice de Youden máximo (1,48). Conclusão A classificação GOLD COPD por CAT parece discriminar melhor os sintomas de 24 horas. Os resultados não suportam o uso equivalente de CAT≥10 e mMRC≥2 para avaliação dos sintomas.

BACKGROUND: The modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) and COPD Assessment Test (CAT) are assessment instruments associated with level of physical activity of daily living (PADL) in patients with COPD. This study aimed to identify mMRC and CAT cutoff points to discriminate sedentary behavior and PADL level of subjects with COPD and verify whether these cutoff points differentiate pulmonary function, health-related quality of life (HRQOL), functional status, and mortality index in subjects with COPD. METHODS: Subjects (N = 131, FEV(1): 36.7 ± 16.1% predicted) were assessed for lung function, mMRC, CAT, HRQOL, functional status, and mortality index. PADL was monitored using a triaxial accelerometer, and subjects were classified as sedentary/nonsedentary (cutoff point of 8.5 h/d in PADL < 1.5 metabolic equivalent of task [MET]), physically active/inactive (cutoff point of 80 min/d in PADL ≥ 3 METs), and with/without severe physical inactivity (cutoff point of 4,580 steps/d), according to variables provided by accelerometer. RESULTS: ROC curve indicated mMRC cutoff point of ≥ 2 (P < .05) for physical inactivity (sensitivity = 66%, specificity = 56%, AUC = 0.62), severe physical inactivity (sensitivity = 81%, specificity = 66%, AUC = 0.76), and sedentary behavior (sensitivity = 61%, specificity = 70%, AUC = 0.65). The identified CAT cutoff points were ≥ 16 and ≥ 20, considering severe physical inactivity (sensitivity = 76%, specificity = 54%, AUC = 0.69, P < .001) and sedentary behavior (sensitivity = 51%, specificity = 90%, AUC = 0.71, P = .001), respectively. Subjects who had mMRC ≥ 2 and CAT ≥ 16 or ≥ 20 presented worse pulmonary function, HRQOL, functional status, and mortality index compared with those who scored mMRC < 2 and CAT

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic brought numerous challenges, namely in routine assessment of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The COPD Assessment Test (CAT), the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness-Fatigue-Subscale (FACIT-FS) and the St. George's respiratory questionnaire (SGRQ) are important patient-reported outcome measures used to assess people with COPD, but its face-to-face application has been compromised. The telephone interview offers a simple and effective alternative, yet uncertainty regarding its equivalence remains. This study aimed to establish the reliability and validity of the CAT, the FACIT-FS and the SGRQ administered by telephone interview in people with COPD.Methods: Data from an observational prospective study including people with COPD were analyzed. Participants answered to the CAT, FACIT-FS and SGRQ questionnaires in person and by telephone, with a maximum interval of 48-h. Participants were randomly selected to answer first to the in-person questionnaire followed by telephone or vice versa. Reliability measures included internal consistency with Cronbach's alpha, test-retest reliability with the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC2,1), test-retest measurement error with the standard error of measurement (SEM) and agreement with the Bland and Altman 95% limits of agreement. Validity was assessed with the Spearman correlation (rho).Results: Fifty-five people with COPD (44 men; 68.1 ± 7.9 years; FEV1: 59.1 ± 20.3% predicted) were included. Similar internal consistency was observed between in person vs. telephone interview for the CAT (0.82 vs. 0.84), the FACIT-FS (0.83 vs. 0.84) and the SGRQ (0.92 vs. 0.93). Test-retest reliability was excellent, with an ICC2,1 of 0.77 (95% CI: 0.65; 0.86), 0.86 (95% CI: 0.77; 0.92) and 0.94 (95% CI: 0.90; 0.96) for the CAT, FACIT-FS and SGRQ total scores, respectively. The SEM showed a low level of associated measurement error and the Bland and Altman plots illustrated a good level of agreement between both modes of administration, with no evidence of systematic bias. Robust positive correlations (rho 0.87–0.94, p < 0.001) were found for the CAT, FACIT-FS and SGRQ total scores applied by both methods.Conclusion: The telephonic administration of the CAT, the FACIT-FS and the SGRQ are a valid and reliable alternative approach to in person interviews for monitoring symptoms and health-related quality of life in people with COPD. The telephone might be an important add-on for personalized assessment and management of COPD thru remote monitoring.

Background Few studies have examined whether baseline spirometry and the forced oscillation technique (FOT) would predict The COPD Assessment Test (CAT) score improvement after treatment of untreated COPD patients. Methods The study subjects included 65 untreated COPD patients. They underwent the CAT, spirometry, and FOT (MostGraph) before and after treatment for more than 2 months. In addition, recursive partitioning analysis was performed using spirometry and the FOT parameters to identify the predictors of CAT improvement (CAT score ≥2). Results CAT scores and lung function significantly improved after treatment. Recursive partitioning analysis identified 3 improved classes, defined by Rrs at 20 Hz (R20), Xrs at 5 Hz (X5), and ΔX5, but not by spirometry. The accuracy of predicting CAT improvement was as follows: odds ratio, 25.3; 95 % confidence interval, 6.1 to 104.1; sensitivity, 91.2 %; specificity, 71.0 %; positive likelihood ratio, 3.14; and negative likelihood ratio, 0.12. Conclusions FOT helps predict improved health status in untreated COPD patients.

Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): CVON eDETECT 2015-12 Background Patients with genetic cardiomyopathies mostly remain asymptomatic until the occurrence of life-threatening arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. The responsible pro-arrhythmic mechanisms, as well as the indicators for pro-arrhythmia, often remain unclear. Current research approaches are commonly based on experimental animal models or clinical data obtained from mutation carriers. The translation (and bridging) of results obtained from experimental models to humans and scale integration of these findings remains challenging. As a consequence, clinical relevance is often disputed. In light of these challenges, computer modelling shows strong potential for its ability to capture the complex dynamics of the cardiovascular system across different scales. Purpose We therefore aim to develop a multiscale electromechanical computer model coupling electrophysiology, sarcomere dynamics (contractility), whole-heart function and hemodynamics to investigate mechanisms (resulting from genetic predisposition to cardiomyopathy) of arrhythmogenicity and cardiac dysfunction in these patients. Methods We coupled our previously published model of cellular electromechanics to the CircAdapt computer model of the heart and circulation. Electromechanical coupling was performed through the amount of calcium bound to troponin (as described in the cellular model). The same electrophysiological properties were assumed in all cardiac walls. Diffusion of calcium from the sarcolemmal space to the membrane was described phenomenologically through a resistance model. Results Simulated hemodynamics properties were in range with control values with LVEDV = 110.8mL, LVESV = 38.7mL, RVEDV = 99.2mL, mLAP = 10.2mmHg, mRAP = 4.0mmHg. At the cellular level, sarcolemmal calcium transients showed the effect of mechanical change as illustrated by the bump in CaT. This effect was attenuated at the membrane due to the effect of diffusion. Alterations in the functionality of molecular entities underlying calcium homeostasis recapitulated cellular experimental findings as expected illustrated by implementing changes in adrenergic signaling. Conclusions We have established a new multiscale electromechanical computer model describing electrophysiology, sarcomere mechanics and hemodynamics. The model simulates normal values in the control situation. Current work focusses on parameter sensitivity analysis and validation. Feeding this new model with experimentally obtained data from patient-specific models (ranging from individual cells to e.g. transgenic mouse models based on relevant mutations) therefore has potential to bridge the gap between pathogenic experimental models and patient data. This will add to the understanding of underlying mechanisms responsible for disease onset and progression, and furthermore could develop into a tool to identify patients/mutation carriers at risk for severe disease outcome. Abstract Figure.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a life-threatening condition, represents a considerable public health and socioeconomic challenge.1 Symptoms of this long-lasting respiratory disease can significantly impair patients' daily physical activities, reduce quality of life, and lead to excessive health care overuse. Modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale is a basic tool for determining symptoms of dyspnea in COPD patients. However, because COPD subjects suffer from complex symptomatology, COPD Assessment Test (CAT), a validated patient-completed questionnaire, is now globally recommended as the first choice assessment tool to classify COPD individuals according to the GOLD (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease, Inc) Strategy in daily practice.

Jeong Uk Lim,1,* Chan Kwon Park,2,* Tae-Hyung Kim,3 An-Soo Jang,4 Yong Bum Park,5 Chin Kook Rhee,1 Ki Suck Jung,6 Kwang Ha Yoo,7 Won-Yeon Lee,8 Hyoung Kyu Yoon2 1Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea; 2Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yeouido St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea; 3Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Hanyang University Guri Hospital, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Guri, Republic of Korea; 4Division of Respiratory and Allergy, Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, Bucheon, Republic of Korea; 5Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Hallym University Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea; 6Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University Medical School, Anyang, Republic of Korea; 7Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea; 8Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Republic of Korea*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Hyoung Kyu YoonDivision of Pulmonology and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yeouido St. Mary`s Hospital, School of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, #62 Yeouido-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul 150-713, Republic of KoreaTel +82-2-3779-2213Fax +82-2-784-5458Email cmcyhg@catholic.ac.krObjectives: Depression is a major comorbidity that affects clinical outcomes in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD patients with depression are hospitalized more frequently, and show more acute exacerbations, decreased physical and social activities, and higher mortality compared to their non-depressed counterparts. In the present study, we investigated the clinical impact of depressive symptoms and associated clinical factors in Korean patients with COPD by evaluating multicenter cohort data.Materials and methods: Patients with COPD enrolled in the Korean COPD Subtype Study, a multicenter observational study, from December 2011 to October 2014 were selected for evaluation. The initial evaluation of all patients included pulmonary function tests, 6 min walk distance (6MWD), the COPD Assessment Test (CAT), and the COPD-specific version of the St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ-C). Significant depression was defined as a Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) score ≥17.Results: Among the 270 study patients, 19.6% had significant depression. The depressed group showed a higher proportion of females (41.4%), lower body mass index (BMI), and lower education level compared to the non-depressed group (p = 0.002, p = 0.008, and p = 0.019, respectively). The depressed group had significantly higher CAT and SGRQ-C scores, as well as a lower 6MWD, compared to the non-depressed group based on 6 month-interval serial measurements over 3 years. The total SGRQ-C score and the symptoms, activity, and impact domain scores were significant predictors of depression (area under curves [AUCs] of 0.699 [0.613–0.786], 0.670 [0.581–0.758], 0.680 [0.589–0.770], and 0.689 [0.603–0.776], respectively). From CAT score domains, sleep and energy scores were significant predictors of depression (AUCs of 0.619 [0.522–0.715] and 0.595 [0.504–0.685], respectively). SGRQ-C score, low BMI, and decreased 6MWD were significantly associated with depression in a multivariable analysis.Conclusion: A considerable proportion of patients with COPD had depression, and a high SGRQ-C score, low BMI, and low 6MWD were significantly associated with depression. As improving quality of life in this subgroup is difficult, physicians should be more active in screening patients with significant depression.Keywords: association, COPD Assessment Test, depression, St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire

Objective The aim of this study was to assess the quality of life associated with the health of patients with COPD. Method The design of this study used a cross-sectional with convenience sampling method in 200 stable COPD patients, who had suffered COPD for more than 3 months but who did not have stage 3 or stage 4 chronic heart failure, at three Hospital in DKI Jakarta. Groups A to D were divided based on the COPD Assessment Test (CAT), the exacerbation category using the recommendation from GOLD, and the quality of life questionnaire using the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). Results The chi-square analysis showed that p = 0.000 (p Conclusions This study shows that there is a relationship between severity using ABCD Groupings Classification and the quality of life for COPD patients.

Assessing the global impact of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) on a patient’s life can be difficult to perform in the clinical setting due to time constraints and workflow challenges. The primary objective of this study was to compare disease impact ratings between patient self-administered COPD Assessment Test (CAT) and physician standard office assessment. This prospective study was conducted at a family medicine residency clinic in northeast Tennessee. The study included two study groups: 1) adult patients seen at the clinic during the 3-month study period with an active diagnosis of COPD, and 2) their physicians. Physicians’ assessment of the impact of COPD on their patients’ daily lives was compared to patients’ self-administered CAT assessments. Physician assessment of COPD impact and patient assessment of CAT categories significantly differed (χ2 = 11.0, P = 0.012). There was very poor agreement between patient and physician ratings (κ = 0.003), with 42.9% of physician ratings underestimating the impact, 28.6% overestimating the impact, and 28.6% correctly estimating the impact COPD had on their patients’ lives. These findings support the use of validated assessment tools to help providers understand the symptom burden for patients with COPD.

A Doença Pulmonar Obstrutiva Crónica (DPOC) caracteriza-se por limitação crónica, progressiva e não totalmente reversível do fluxo aéreo, limitando por vezes o autocuidado. Anteriormente caracterizada pela dispneia, reconhece-se atualmente a necessidade de uma avaliação sintomática mais abrangente recomendando-se entre outros instrumentos o COPD Assessment Test (CAT). Sendo a Reabilitação Respiratória (RR) o tratamento não farmacológico recomendado neste contexto é objetivo deste estudo perceber qual o seu efeito no CAT e sua relação com a capacidade funcional (CF). Estudo Quasi-Experimental com programa de Reabilitação Respiratória (PRR) de duração mediana de 13 semanas sendo o efeito no CAT e na CF avaliados no início e no final. Incluidas 45 pessoas: 36 homens; idade media 65,82 anos e FEV1% medio 40%. Verificou-se melhoria estatística e clinicamente significativas no CAT e na CF existindo entre as duas uma correlação negativa moderada. Concluímos que este PRR reduziu a sintomatologia e aumentou a capacidade funcional em pessoas com DPOC. Descritores: Autocuidado, Enfermagem de Reabilitação, Reabilitação Respiratória;Self-Care, Rehabilitation Nursing, Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Introduction: Medication adherence is a major determinant for the success of therapy among chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. The research objectives of the present study were to assess the adherence to prescribed medications and its association with quality of life among COPD patients, to determine the major factors that influence the medication adherence and to assess patient’s knowledge on COPD and its relation to medication adherence. Methods: It was a hospital based cross-sectional study. Patient demographic characteristics, smoking and alcoholic status, severity grading of COPD, concomitant disease, affordability of patients to medication, patient knowledge on COPD (Knowledge Questionnaire), adherence to medication and inhaler, major factors influencing adherence, disease control and quality of life (COPD Assessment Test) were recorded. Results: Most of the patients were non-smokers and patients exposed to occupational air pollutants was high. Complete adherence to prescribed medication was found among 47% (MAS Score 6) of the participants and 81% of the participants were partially adherent (MAS score, range of 1-6). Highly adherent group was found to have high CAT score which was statistically significant. (P=0.020). Major factors for medication non-adherence were forgetfulness (82.5%) and symptomatic relief of illness (12.5%). There was no statistically significant association between individual knowledge questions and medication adherence except the question “COPD medicines prevent the disease from getting worse” (P=0.021). Conclusion: There was a statistically significant association between medication adherence and quality of life. Appropriate health education should be implemented for improving patient awareness and medication adherence.

It is known that inflammation is the underlying cause of COPD, and this affects to quality of life of the patient. Provision of inhaled therapy combination of LABA and corticosteroids is one of therapy in pharmacology of stable PPOK patients. The aim of this study was to know the benefits of inhalation of 50 mg / fluticasone propionate 500 mg inhibition in stable COPD patients. The research design is clinical trial. The study was conducted for 3 months and was performed on 26 stable COPD patients divided into two groups: 15 patients for the treatment group and 15 patients for the control group. After the measurements were obtained, there was a significant difference in the quality of life as measured by St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) (p = 0.001) and COPD Assessment Test (CAT) (0.001) measurements were made twice on the first and thirtieth days.

Background The COPD Assessment Test (CAT) has been proposed to help guide therapy in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is important to understand the distribution of scores in different COPD populations and their determinants. Methods The POPE study is an international, observational cross-sectional study of COPD subjects in 11 Central and Eastern European countries aimed at characterizing COPD phenotypes. Here we report the analysis of CAT scores with the objective of identifying their determinants, evaluating symptom load and investigating the distribution of scores among the participating countries. Additionally, we investigated the discrepancies between the CAT and modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) scores when used to classify patients according to the GOLD strategy. Results The study included 3452 patients (69.2% men, mean forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1% predicted) 52.5%). The mean CAT score was 17.5 (SD = 7.8), ranging from 15.1 in Hungary to 21.2 in Bulgaria. Multiple linear regression analysis showed six variables significantly associated with CAT scores: depression, number of previous exacerbations, 6-min walking distance, FEV1(%), mMRC and country and explained 47.2% of the variance of CAT. According to either CAT or mMRC, up to 23.9% patients would be classified in different GOLD groups. Conclusions The CAT score may be predicted by factors related to COPD severity, depression and exercise capacity, with significant differences in the distribution of CAT scores in different countries. According to our results CAT >10 is not equivalent to mMRC >2 for assessing symptom burden. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov , identifier NCT02119494

Background Patients with connective tissue disease-associated interstitial lung disease (CTD-ILD) often experience impaired health status. In daily clinical practice, a short and easy instrument for assessing health status would be useful to help better understand the patient's condition. The COPD Assessment Test (CAT) is a simple questionnaire about respiratory symptoms and their impact. We aimed to examine the CAT's performance characteristics and to generate data to support its reliability and validity in patients with CTD-ILD. Methods We used data from 132 CTD-ILD patients evaluated at Tosei General Hospital from July 2011 to July 2016 to assess the cross-sectional and longitudinal validity of the CAT. Results The mean age of the patients was 64.5 years and 87 (66%) were women. There were no significant differences in CAT score between any of the CTD subgroups. Internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.881) and repeatability (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] = 0.803) for the CAT score were acceptable. At baseline, CAT score was significantly associated with clinically meaningful measures of physiologic function, exercise capacity, and dyspnea. Change in CAT score over 6–12 months was also associated with change in other measures. In the distribution- and anchor-based analyses, the estimated minimal clinically important difference of CAT score was 1–4 points. Conclusion These data support the validity and reliability of CAT as a sensitive measure for assessing health status in patients with CTD-ILD.

BACKGROUND: Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is frequently underrecognized. Individuals with symptoms often experience long diagnostic delays. Although a delayed diagnosis is logically presumed to be associated with adverse effects, confirmatory evidence that a delay in diagnosis confers harm is sparse. The current study characterized the association between a delayed diagnosis and the clinical status at the time of diagnosis. METHODS: Patients with newly diagnosed severe deficiency of alpha-1 antitrypsin received questionnaires that assessed self-reported diagnostic delay, the St George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) and COPD Assessment Test. Results of spirometry were retrieved and the relationship between the diagnostic delay interval and FEV1% predicted, SGRQ, and COPD Assessment Test were assessed. RESULTS: Forty subjects were recruited (31 with PI*ZZ, 9 with PI*SZ). Values for FEV1% predicted, SGRQ, and COPD Assessment Test were available for 17, 40, and 32 subjects, respectively. The relationship between the diagnostic delay interval and all outcomes was directionally consistent with an adverse impact of increasing diagnostic delay. For each additional year of diagnostic delay, the subject9s FEV1% predicted decreased by 0.3% (P = .66), The SGRQ Total score increased by 1.6 points (P CONCLUSIONS: The results of this analysis were consistent with a delayed diagnosis of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency being associated with worse COPD-related symptoms and functional status, and with a trend toward worsened air-flow obstruction. Given that alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is associated with accelerated emphysema progression, these findings underscore the importance of early detection of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency and reinforce guidelines that endorse alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency testing in all adults with fixed air-flow obstruction and first-degree relatives of individuals with severe deficiency of alpha-1 antitrypsin.