COPD Assessment Test™

The «COPD Assessment Test™» (CAT) quantifies the health impact of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and complements measurements such as one-second capacity (FEV1). CAT cannot be used to diagnose COPD. The questionnaire can be printed in english, german or french (via catestonline.org). «COPD Assessment Test™» is a trademark of the GlaxoSmithKline group of companies.

Cough

I never cough.

0 1 2 3 4 5

I cough all the time.

Phlegm

I have no phlegm (mucus) in my chest at all.

0 1 2 3 4 5

My chest is completely full of phlegm (mucus).

Tight feeling

My chest does not feel tight at all.

0 1 2 3 4 5

My chest feels very tight.

Breathlessness

When I walk up a hill or one flight of stairs I am not breathless.

0 1 2 3 4 5

When I walk up a hill or one flight of stairs I am very breathless.

Activities

I am not limited doing any activities at home.

0 1 2 3 4 5

I am very limited doing activities at home.

Confidence

I am confident leaving my home despite my lung condition.

0 1 2 3 4 5

I am not at all confident leaving my home because of my lung condition.

Sleep

I sleep soundly.

0 1 2 3 4 5

I don’t sleep soundly because of my lung condition.

Energy

I have lots of energy.

0 1 2 3 4 5

I have no energy at all.

CAT Score:

Recommendation:

Interpretation

Points	Health impact	Recommendation
5		Upper limit of normal in healthy non- smokers.
< 10	Low	Smoking cessation Annual influenza vaccination Reduce exposure to exacerbation risk factors Therapy as warranted by further clinical assessment
10-20	Moderate	Room for improvement: Reviewing maintenance therapy Referral for pulmonary rehabilitation Minimize exacerbations Smoking cessation
20-30	High	Significant room for improvement: Referral to specialist care Additional pharmacological treatments Referral for pulmonary rehabilitation Minimize exacerbations Smoking cessation
> 30	Very high

References

Jones PW, Harding G, Berry P et al. Development and first validation of the COPD Assessment Test. Eur Respir J 2009; 34: 648-654
CAT Governance Board 2018. COPD Assessment Test: Healthcare Professional User Guide, <https://www.catestonline.org>