COPD assessment test for the evaluation of COVID-19 symptoms

Abstract

There is evidence to demonstrate the ongoing symptoms of COVID-19; however, there are currently no agreed outcomes to assess these symptoms. This study examined the use of the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) assessment test (CAT) for patients recovering from COVID-19. 131 patients who were admitted with COVID-19 were followed up over the phone to assess symptoms. The median (IQR) CAT score was 10 (5–16). Cough, phlegm and chest tightness domains were within range for healthy people, but there was evidence of significant breathlessness, loss of energy, and activity and sleep disturbance. The CAT is a useful tool to assess symptoms of COVID-19 recovery.

COVID-19 and what comes after?

“…14 The COPD assessment test score, an established measure to assess response to pulmonary rehabilitation, has been repurposed as a tool to evaluate post-COVID symptoms. 15 Even prior to COVID-19, the provision of pulmonary rehabilitation services to support people limited by breathlessness was inadequate to meet the level of need 16 and the ongoing pandemic has further limited the capacity to provide face to face services. People with long-term conditions who are clinically vulnerable to COVID-19 have been advised to practice strict social isolation and have also experienced a disruption in their access to healthcare.…”

Early experiences of rehabilitation for patients post-COVID to improve fatigue, breathlessness exercise capacity and cognition

“…A paired t-test was used to compare changes before and after rehabilitation. [4] respectively which was not statistically significant, however the baseline scores were low (table 1). Figure 1 demonstrates the changes in FACIT and ISWT.…”

“…The Borg breathlessness scale and rate of perceived exertion were used alongside self-reported symptoms to determine progression of the exercises. The outcomes were: the incremental and endurance shuttle walking test (ISWT/ESWT), COPD Assessment Test (CAT) 4 , Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy Fatigue Scale (FACIT), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), EuroQual 5 domains (EQ5D) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). The ISWT and ESWT were completed in line with gold standards on a 10m course and performed a familiarisation test at baseline 5 .…”

The demand for rehabilitation following COVID-19: a call to service providers

“…Initially it was expected that people hospitalised with COVID-19, particularly those treated in intensive care and high dependency units would require rehabilitation to return to their usual activities but it has become clear that there is a demand for rehabilitation for those hospitalised and non-hospitalised-following infection (1,2).…”

“…The COVID-19 pandemic has largely and rightly focussed on the acute needs of the population, however; as infection rates continue to fall the need for rehabilitation services continue to rise. Initially it was expected that people hospitalised with COVID-19, particularly those treated in intensive care and high dependency units would require rehabilitation to return to their usual activities but it has become clear that there is a demand for rehabilitation for those hospitalised and non-hospitalised-following infection [1] , [2] .…”