BODCAT index: Could we use it instead of BODE or BODEx to classify COPD severity?

INTRODUCTION :6-minute walking test (6MWT) is difficult to perform in primary care.Plus,exacerbations are not always correctly reported by patients. OBJECTIVE :To determine the validity and usefulness of modified BODE and BODEx index when classifying the severity of COPD in stable condition by replacing exacerbations and 6MWT by quality of life questionnaire CAT results,easier to perform in primary care METHOD : 65 patients (mean age 68 years,4% of women,96 % men) treated in our hospital in stable condition.We evaluated FEV1,body mass index,degree of dyspnea by the MRC scale,6MWT,exacerbations in the previous year CAT questionnaire for quality of life.Three index were completed with 6MWT,exacerbations and CAT:BODE ,BODEx,BODCAT. CAT score was stratified: 0-10 one point,11-20 two points,21-30 three points and 31-40 four points.The exacerbations score was stratified:0 no points,1-2 one point,more than 3 two points.The BODE index was scored in the usual way. RESULTS :Correlation (Spearman9s Rho ) between BODE,BODCAT and BODEx was significant,in all cases with an r about 0.93-0.94 and p and CONCLUSION :The excellent correlation between the analyzed index leads to think about replacing the 6MWT by CAT questionnaire in the assessment COPD.It is necessary to have a larger sample and evaluate by severity stratification, and have a long-term monitoring.