European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine

Abstract:Introduction: COPD is a leading global cause of mortality, expected to rise in prevalence over the next four decades. Patients often find the early hours of the day troublesome, impacting their health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This study aims to address the commonly overlooked issue of morning symptoms in COPD patients, focusing on their severity and correlation with the CAT score and BODE index. The research underscores the significance of understanding and managing morning symptoms to improve the overall well-being of individuals with COPD. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study involving 128 COPD patients meeting inclusion/exclusion criteria was conducted in hospitals affiliated with Bangalore Medical College & Research Institute. Comprehensive investigations were carried out, and morning symptoms were evaluated using the CDLM questionnaire. Patients were clinically classified into GesEPOC phenotypes and GOLD stages based on FEV1 (%). The severity of COPD was assessed through the BODE index and CAT score, with correlations examined against the CDLM questionnaire. Results: In this study of 128 COPD patients, predominantly males with a mean age of 63 years, the first tertile demonstrated lower CDLM scores, indicating a higher morning impact and more respiratory symptoms. These patients also had lower FEV1%, higher CAT and BODEx scores, and increased exacerbations. Higher CDLM scores were associated with the Non-Exacerbator clinical phenotype of GesEPOC Spanish Classification. Multivariate analysis revealed that lower CDLM scores were independently linked to higher CAT and BODEx scores, lower FEV1%, and increased exacerbations. Conclusion: Evaluation of morning symptoms using capacity of daily living during morning (CDLM) questionnaire revealed there was a strong association with markers of COPD severity. The significant association was found with CAT and BODE index score and GesEPOC phenotypes. The strong negative correlation was learned for CDLM with CAT score and BODE Index score independently. However, the CDLM questionnaire exhibits a ceiling effect, limiting its ability to effectively differentiate between low and high impacts of morning symptoms.