Abstract
Background: It is unclear to which extend a standardised in-hospital rehabilitation program may change the new COPD assessment test (CAT) score and the updated BODE Index in severe and very-severe COPD patients.
Method: In a prospective study we assessed the CRQ, CAT and updated BODE scores in severe and very-severe COPD patients before and after attending a multidisciplinary in-hospital pulmonary rehabilitation program of a approximately 3 week's duration. The assessment comprised in addition sociodemographic and health data.
According to the initial BODE Index and due to statistical reasons we formed two BODE severity groups; group one with 0-7 points and group two with 8-15 points.
Results: 315 patients attending a pulmonary rehabilitation program were assessd between first of July and end of December 2010. Thereof 132 patients presented with severe or very-severe COPD. The mean age was 69.2 years, exactly one third female, mean duration of stay 19.7 days.
I. Both groups showed a significant improvement for all four CRQ domains. Only for the domain dyspnea the improvement was significant smaller for patients with a higher BODE score (second group).
II. The CAT score showed a similar significant improvement in both groups (reduction of 4.5 and 5 points respectively)
III. Also the updated BODE Index showed a significant reduction in both groups, however, this reduction was significant less for the second group.
Conclusion: The CAT and the updated Bode Index might both provide a valid assessment for changes in an inpatient pulmonary rehabilitation program for severe and very-severe COPD patients.
- © 2011 ERS