[Evaluation of COPD patients using CAT-COPD assessment test].

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary Medicine
• Quality of Life Research
• Rehabilitation Science

Context:

• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) significantly impacts patient health and daily living.
• The COPD Assessment Test (CAT) is a validated tool for quantifying COPD's effect on quality of life.
• Effective rehabilitation programs are crucial for managing COPD progression.

Purpose:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a structured respiratory rehabilitation program for COPD patients.
• To assess the impact of rehabilitation on patient-reported outcomes using the CAT.
• To determine if rehabilitation influences COPD severity and quality of life.

Summary:

• A 71-patient study in Craiova utilized an 8-week rehabilitation program (16 sessions) combining physical exercises and education.
• The average CAT score decreased by 12.86% post-rehabilitation, with COPD Stage I patients showing the most significant improvement (16.23%).
• The positive impact of the rehabilitation program was observed irrespective of patient Body Mass Index (BMI).

Impact:

• Respiratory rehabilitation demonstrably enhances the quality of life for individuals with COPD.
• The CAT questionnaire serves as a sensitive indicator of treatment efficacy in COPD management.
• Findings support the integration of comprehensive rehabilitation strategies into routine COPD care to improve patient outcomes.