Reliability of Persian Version of COPD Assessment Test and its correlation with disease severity

COPD is a common obstructive airway disease without complete reversal and is characterized by dyspnea، cough and sputum production. In spite of improvements in therapeutic measures، a considerable number of patients fail to achieve the treatment goals. Discrepancy between obstructive parameters and clinical manifestations is a possible cause of treatment failure. COPD Assessment Test (CAT) is a standard method for evaluation of clinical aspects of COPD. This test has been translated into Persian. The aim of this study was to determine the reliability of Persian Version of CAT and its correlation with disease severity. In a prospective descriptive analytic study، CAT scores were determined in 100 COPD patients. After 1to2 weeks 34 patients completed the questionnaire for the second time to evaluate the reliability of Persian Version of the test. Severity of obstruction was assessed by spirometry. Based on Global initiative of Lung Disease (GOLD) criteria، patients were categorized into 4 groups. Correlation between CAT scores and disease severity was evaluated. The mean age of the patients was 62± 5. 2SD years. Cronbach''s alpha index of the Persian Version of CAT was. 0 879. The mean score was 25. 85 (± 8. 93) at the test and 25. 67 (±8. 73) at the retest session. The intragroup reliability of the test and retest and also correlation among all questions were significant. (P<0. 001) There was a significant correlation between categorization based on severity of obstruction and categorization according to the test score. Persian version of CAT is a reliable tool for COPD assessment and has a good correlation with disease severity associated with the obstruction of the airways.