Background and Aims:

To investigate correlation of dyspnea scoring methods and BODE (Body mass index, airflow Obstruction, Dyspnea, and Exercise capacity) index with functional parameters in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

Material and Methods:

Thirty-eight COPD patients, hospitalized between January 2006 and May 2007, have been evaluated in their stable period after discharge. Pulmonary function tests, arterial blood gase (ABG) analysis, 6 minutes walk test (6-MWT), dyspnea scorings and St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) were performed. Body Mass Index (BMI), FEV1%, Medical Research Council dyspnea index (MRC) and 6-MWT were used to calculate BODE index. Spearman’s correlation test was used in statistical analysis.

Results:

Mean values of studied parameters are as follows: Age: 64.2±10.3, BMI: 27.3±5.4, PaO2: 64.7±14.7 and PaCO2: 47.1±18.6 mmHg, 6- MWT: 276.4±99.0 m, FEV1: 1108±652 mL, IC/TLC: 15.1±6.7. The dyspnea scores were Modified Borg Scale (MBS): 4.32±0.98, Visuel analog scale (VAS): 6.47 ± 1.91, Medical Research Council Scale (MRC): 4.35±0.89, Baseline Dyspnea index (BDİ): 4.68 ± 4.18, Oxygen Cost Diagram (OCD): 4.50 ± 2.35, SGRQ total score: 66.9±15.5 and BODE index: 5.79±2.5. Age and BMI were not significantly correlated with any of the methods whereas FEV1 was significantly correlated with all dyspnea scores. MRC had correlation with all spirometric measurements and DLCO. The strongest correlation was present between FEV1 and MRC (r=-0.514). Considering ABG, there was no correlation except the one between PaCO2 and MBS (r=0.340). BODE index showed correlation with SGRQ total score and ABG values as well as showed strongest correlation with PaO2 (r=-0.382). BODE index also had correlation with IC/TLC (r= -0.517).

Conclusions:

MRC is a reliable test for COPD patients for determining dyspnea levels. Relatively higher correlation of BODE index with IC/TLC which is a hyperinflation marker and independent risk factor for mortality, supports that BODE index can be used to determine the prognosis of COPD.

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