Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects more than 12.5 million people in the U.S. Unfortunately, many more people are suffering from early symptoms but aren’t aware they have COPD.

Those suffering may experience generally recognized symptoms like a persistent cough, wheezing, and fatigue, however, in varying degrees. Because COPD is a chronic condition and patients experience good and bad days, the challenge is understanding when the disease is progressing and by how much.

The COPD Assessment Test (CAT) is a tool, not a diagnostic test, designed to help patients and doctors better discuss COPD and how the disease changes health and lifestyles over a lifetime. 

Developed through extensive studies and scientific research, CAT was first launched in 2009. By 2013, the tool became the preferred way to assess COPD and its impact on a patient’s quality of life.

Much like a health questionnaire, CAT for COPD takes a patient through key questions about symptoms. 

Questions cover coughing, sleep, energy levels and more. Scores range from 0 to 40 and provide a reliable measure of overall COPD severity symptoms from the patient’s perspective to help guide the doctor in recommending the best treatment plan.

COPD is a disease that progresses with time and has no cure. Each person’s health history, age, and lifestyles mean no two cases are alike.

Over time, determining the severity of the disease and the effects on daily living can be difficult, even for healthcare providers.

So how can doctors and patients get a better understanding of daily life with COPD? CAT offers a method for framing observations about how a patient is feeling over time. By answering a series of questions, both the patient and doctor have a better way to talk about COPD.

The tool is specifically designed for patients to complete alone without any help from family or a physician.

• It’s not a diagnostic tool, requiring equipment or doctor’s visits.
• Originally published in English, the tool is now in many languages.
• The tool is designed for a patient to take alone, without the help of a professional.
• CAT is free of charge to both patients and physicians.
• CAT only has 8 questions for a patient to answer.
• CAT is available online.

Whether you’ve recently been diagnosed with COPD or have been living with the disease for a long time, the CAT can help you talk with your primary care physician or specialist.

Related articles: 

• Early symptoms of COPD