Correlation of body mass index, degree of airflow obstruction, dyspnea scale, and exercise index with pulmonary hypertension

Abstract

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease is major comorbidity and most frequent disease coexisting with chronic obstructive and pulmonary disease (COPD). BODE (body mass index, degree of airflow obstruction, dyspnea scale and exercise) index is a multi-dimensional tool to assess severity of COPD. This study was undertaken to assess the BODE index as a predictor of development of pulmonary hypertension (PHT) in COPD patients.
Aims: The aim of the study was to assess the corelation between the BODE index and PHT as diagnosed by 2DEcho.
Materials and Methods: We conducted a prospective study over a period of 2 years on 60 stable COPD patients by evaluating the BODE index and categorizing into mild, moderate, and severe COPD cases on the basis of spirometry and into 4 quartiles on the basis of BODE index value (scores 0–2, 3–4, 5–6, and 7–10 ). PHT was defined in this study as pulmonary artery systolic pressure ≥30 mmHg. We investigated the prognostic value of BODE quartiles for prediction of development of PHT in COPD patients.
Results: In our study, spirometry showed mild obstruction in 16.7%, moderate obstruction in 26.7%, severe obstruction in 38.3%, and very severe obstruction in 18.3% of patients. According to BODE score, 52% of patients were quartile 1, 21% quartile 2, 15% quartile 3, and 12% were quartile 4. In this study group, 46.7%, 31.7%, 11.7%, and 10.0% patients were with no, mild, moderate, and severe PHT, respectively.
Conclusion: COPD patients with higher BODE index should also be looked for other causes of developing PHT, and such patients should undergo 2DEcho on regular intervals.