Improving communication between the physician and the COPD patient: an evaluation of the utility of the COPD Assessment Test in primary care

Figures & data

Table 1 Modified Medical Research Council questionnaire

Grade 0 I only get breathless with strenuous exercise

Grade 1 I get short of breath when hurrying on level ground or walking up a slight hill

Grade 2 On level ground, I walk slower than people of the same age because of breathlessness, or have to stop for breath when walking at my own pace

Grade 3 I stop for breath after walking about 100 yards or after a few minutes on level ground

Grade 4 I am too breathless to leave the house or I am breathless when dressing

Table 2 Classification of airway obstruction

GOLD classification	Severity	FEV1/FVC	FEV1
1	Mild	<0.70	FEV1 ≥80% predicted
2	Moderate	<0.70	50% ≤FEV1 <80% predicted
3	Severe	<0.70	30% ≤FEV1 <50% predicted
4	Very severe	<0.70	FEV1 <30% predicted

Abbreviations: FEV₁, forced expiratory volume in one second; FVC, forced vital capacity; GOLD, Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease.

Table 3 Major comorbidities in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Cardiovascular disease

Ischemic heart disease

Hypertension

Heart failure

Atrial fibrillation

Osteoporosis

Mood disorder (anxiety, depression)

Diabetes

Metabolic syndrome

Musculoskeletal dysfunction

Anemia

Lung cancer

Gastroesophageal reflux

Table 4 GOLD 2011 classification (symptom/risk evaluation of COPD)

Category	GOLD classification	Exacerbations per year	CAT scores	mMRC stage
A	1–2	≤1	<10	0–1
B	1–2	≤1	≥10	≥2
C	3–4	≥2	<10	0–1
D	3–4	≥2	≥10	≥2

Abbreviations: COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; CAT, COPD Assessment Test; GOLD, Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease; mMRC, modified Medical Research Council.