🫁 COPD Assessment Test (CAT)
Quantify COPD health-status impact with the CAT.
Clinical takeaway
CAT ≥ 10 indicates more symptoms in GOLD ABE.
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When to use
Symptom assessment and monitoring in COPD.
How it works
Eight items scored 0–5; total 0–40. < 10 low, 10–20 medium, 21–30 high, > 30 very high impact.
Key points
- CAT ≥ 10 indicates more symptoms in GOLD ABE.
- A change of ≥ 2 points is meaningful.
- Complements the mMRC scale.
References
Decision support for licensed clinicians only; not a substitute for clinical judgement, diagnosis or local protocols.
Worked calculation
The values below come from this tool's own example placeholders and are computed server-side with the formula shown on this page, so the arithmetic can be checked quickly. It demonstrates how to substitute values only — it is not clinical advice and not a real case.
| 1. Cough | 0 |
|---|---|
| 2. Phlegm | 0 |
| 3. Chest tightness | 0 |
| 4. Breathlessness on hills/stairs | 0 |
| 5. Activity limitation at home | 0 |
| 6. Confidence leaving home | 0 |
| 7. Sleep | 0 |
| 8. Energy | 0 |
→CAT0/40
- Impact：Low impact
- GOLD：CAT ≥ 10 indicates more symptoms in the GOLD ABE assessment.
| 1. Cough | 5 |
|---|---|
| 2. Phlegm | 5 |
| 3. Chest tightness | 5 |
| 4. Breathlessness on hills/stairs | 5 |
| 5. Activity limitation at home | 5 |
| 6. Confidence leaving home | 5 |
| 7. Sleep | 5 |
| 8. Energy | 5 |
→CAT40/40
- Impact：Very high impact
- GOLD：CAT ≥ 10 indicates more symptoms in the GOLD ABE assessment.
Frequently asked questions
- What is COPD Assessment Test (CAT)?
- Quantify COPD health-status impact with the CAT.
- How is COPD Assessment Test (CAT) calculated? What is the core formula?
- Eight items scored 0–5; total 0–40. < 10 low, 10–20 medium, 21–30 high, > 30 very high impact.
- When is COPD Assessment Test (CAT) used?
- Symptom assessment and monitoring in COPD.
- What are the key clinical points for COPD Assessment Test (CAT)?
- CAT ≥ 10 indicates more symptoms in GOLD ABE. A change of ≥ 2 points is meaningful. Complements the mMRC scale.
- What are the limits and cautions when using COPD Assessment Test (CAT)?
- For licensed clinicians and clinical researchers. Interpret results with history, investigations and local protocols; not a diagnosis or prescription, and not a substitute for multidisciplinary decision-making or local guidelines.
- How is COPD Assessment Test (CAT) calculated in practice? Can you show a worked example?
- Inputs: 1. Cough 0, 2. Phlegm 0, 3. Chest tightness 0, 4. Breathlessness on hills/stairs 0, 5. Activity limitation at home 0, 6. Confidence leaving home 0, 7. Sleep 0, 8. Energy 0 → Result: CAT 0 /40（Impact: Low impact, GOLD: CAT ≥ 10 indicates more symptoms in the GOLD ABE assessment.） Inputs: 1. Cough 5, 2. Phlegm 5, 3. Chest tightness 5, 4. Breathlessness on hills/stairs 5, 5. Activity limitation at home 5, 6. Confidence leaving home 5, 7. Sleep 5, 8. Energy 5 → Result: CAT 40 /40（Impact: Very high impact, GOLD: CAT ≥ 10 indicates more symptoms in the GOLD ABE assessment.）