COPD exacerbations associated with the modified Medical Research Council scale and COPD assessment test among Humana Medicare members

What is it about?

The Global initiative for chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) guidelines recommends an advanced assessment of COPD using the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) or COPD assessment test (CAT) score. Using these tests in addition to regular diagnosis of the degree of airflow obstruction and exacerbation history helps in understanding the symptoms more efficiently. Margaret K. Pasquale, PhD and colleagues mailed the mMRC and CAT to a random study group of 4,000 Medicare members. All were older than 40 years old and diagnosed with COPD. Patients with pre-index exacerbations had higher odds of experiencing post-index exacerbations. Furthermore, high versus low symptoms added incrementally to exacerbations and exacerbation-related costs.

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Why is it important?

If a patient suffers from an exacerbation, it is natural to expect hospitalizations and emergency department visits because of the severe decline in the functioning of the lungs. Such acute healthcare emergencies can result in enormous costs. That's why the GOLD guidelines have been broadened to include a combined assessment of COPD severity. These patient-related symptoms provide crucial information that can help predict and account for future COPD exacerbations and exacerbation-related costs.

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