CAT for Healthcare Professionals

Both the overall score (in the range of 0–40) and the scores for the individual items can provide useful information¹.

OVERALL SCORE

A CAT score needs to be considered in the context of other information such as FEV1, exacerbation frequency, and presence of co-morbidities. Patients with more severe airways obstruction and more frequent exacerbations would be expected to have higher CAT scores than patients with milder disease.

Experts involved developing the CAT suggest that a change of 2 or more units may indicate a clinically significant change in health status¹. However, more clinical investigations are needed to confirm this. Following an exacerbation CAT scores may improve by an average of 5 units over 2-3 months, compared to their score during the exacerbation^1,2.

CAT score	Impact level	Possible management considerations
<10	Low	Smoking cessation Annual influenza vaccination Reduce exposure to exacerbation risk factors Therapy as warranted by further clinical assessment.
10–20	Medium	Patient has room for improvement. In addition to the guidance provided for patients with low impact CAT scores, you could consider: Reviewing maintenance therapy – is it optimal? Referral for pulmonary rehabilitation Ensuring best approaches to minimising and managing exacerbations Reviewing aggravating factors – is the patient still smoking?
21–30	High	Patient has significant room for improvement In addition to the guidance for patients with low and medium impact CAT scores, you could consider: Referral to specialist care (if you are in general practice) Additional pharmacological treatments
>30	Very High

 

SCORES FOR INDIVIDUAL ITEMS

The scores for individual items can be used to guide where within the spectrum of possible management decisions you should focus your effort to optimise care.

Frequently Asked Questions about CAT scores¹

Below is a list of questions you might have about the CAT. Click on a question to learn the answer.

• Will the CAT be a measure of impairment?
• Is a high CAT score a good or bad thing?
• Will the CAT provide a single, final score or a composite score?
• Is there a target score with the CAT?
• Can CAT scores be compared across individuals?
• My patient’s CAT scores are getting progressively worse. What shall I do?
• Can CAT scores guide a specific management decision?
• Will the CAT help capture information on the presence of co-morbidities?
• Who developed the CAT?
  

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References

1. The COPD Assessment Test healthcare professional user guide: expert guidance on frequently asked questions. Jones PW, Jenkins C, Bauerle O (on behalf of the CAT Development Steering Group).
2. Jones et al. European Respiratory Journal 2009; 34: 648-654.

Page Last Updated: April 25, 2012

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If you are a healthcare professional, this guide will show you how to use the CAT in the best way.

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