Power of BODE index in predicting future exacerbations of COPD: A prospective observational study in Indian population

Background: BODE index is a multidimensional measure of survival in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is composed of body mass index (B), the degree of airflow obstruction (O), dyspnoea (D), and exercise capacity (E). Studies have shown that BODE index can predict future exacerbations, but similar data in Indian population is unavailable. This study was aimed at evaluating the power of BODE index to predict the frequency of exacerbations of COPD in Indian cohort. Methods: We conducted a prospective observational cohort study that included stable COPD subjects aged above 40 years. We assessed the BODE index at baseline and recorded the number of exacerbations at the end of 12 months. Spearman’s Rho and Poisson regression model were used to correlate the BODE index with the frequency of exacerbations. Results: We analysed 78 COPD patients. A significant correlation was seen between BODE index at baseline and number of exacerbations at 12 months (Spearman’s Rho 0.738). A unit change in BODE index at baseline would have 1.25 times higher number of exacerbations at 12 months (95% CI: 1.17-1.33). Conclusions: BODE index has significant power to predict the frequency of future exacerbations in Indian COPD patients.