The COPD Assessment Test (CAT) is one of the most widely used tests for assessing the condition of patients with COPD. Its final score can be affected by coexisting diseases, such as heart failure (HF), which prevalence among COPD patients ranges from 10 to 46% [Rutten FH et al., 2006]. The study objective was to reveal the difference in the CAT results depending on the presence of HF.

Materials and methods. 122 patients with COPD were examined, the average age 53.9±0.9 years, 81.9% male, the average FEV1 40.2±2.8%. The patients were divided into 2 groups, depending on the presence of cardiovascular (CV) pathology: group I - 73 patients with CV pathology and group II - 49 patients without it. Cardiovascular pathology included: arterial hypertension at 59.1%, angina pectoris at 39.4%, heart attack in the past at 18.4%, and arrhythmia at 8.2%. Patients only with compensated HF (NYHA functional class (FC) I or II) and normal ejection fraction (EF) were included. Simpson's average EF was 66.0±0.7%.

Results. The total CAT score in both groups was reliably higher in group I (22.9±0.9 points versus 20.1±0.5 in group II), p<0.01. Significant differences between the groups were observed in such CAT questions as shortness of breath, limitation of home activities, sleep, and energy, p<0.01. There was a direct correlation between the total CAT score and the functional class of HF (R=0.55, p<0.01).

Conclusion. The CAT score is higher in patients with HF, even compensated, and increases as the HF functional class increases. Susceptible to HF are such CAT questions as shortness of breath, limitation of home activities, sleep, and energy. This must be considered when interpreting CAT in patients with COPD and HF.