Assessment of symptoms and impact on health status

Breathlessness if the main disabling symptom of COPD and it is important to measure it objectively. The modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) questionnaire asks the patient about how much their breathlessness affects their activity.

The COPD Assessment Test (CAT) is commonly used in primary care practice to assess symptoms and impact of COPD on a patient’s health status. They can both be completed very easily by the patient in COPD review consultations.

More information about the Medical Research Council (MRC) and CAT can be found in the additional links at the end of this page.

Management of COPD

Aims of management of stable COPD

1) Relieving of symptoms: Bronchodilator(s)

2) Prevention of disease progression and exacerbation:

• Smoking cessation

• Vaccination

• Physical activity

3) Improvement of functional capacity, and quality of life:

• Pulmonary rehabilitation
• Psychological support

Let’s now look at these three key areas of COPD management in more detail.