Bode index in stable COPD patients at tangier university hospital

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by irreversible airflow limitation, leading to progressive respiratory dysfunction, exercise intolerance, and lean body mass loss. The BODE index, integrating body mass index, obstruction, dyspnea, and exercise capacity, provides superior prognostic accuracy compared to individual parameters alone. This study aimed to evaluate the prognosis of COPD patients using the BODE index as a multidimensional predictive tool.

Materials and methods: A prospective longitudinal descriptive and analytical study was conducted on 103 COPD patients in the stable phase. The BODE index combines four parameters: body mass index (B), airway obstruction measured by FEV₁ (O), dyspnea according to the mMRC scale (D), and exercise capacity assessed by the 6-minute walk test (E). Correlations between the BODE index and clinical parameters were analyzed by quartiles.

Results: The study population was predominantly male (96.1%) with a mean age of 63.6 ± 9.5 years. The mean BODE index was 3.7 ± 2. Distribution by quartiles showed: quartile 1 (score 0-2): 30%, quartile 2 (score 3-4): 33%, quartile 3 (score 5-6): 28.1%, and quartile 4 (score 7-10): 8.7%. Statistically significant correlations (p<0.001) were observed between the BODE index and GOLD severity, 6-minute walk test distance, and body mass index. Progressive and significant deterioration of clinical and functional parameters was demonstrated between the first and last quartiles: decrease in BMI (22 to 18.9 kg/m²), FEV₁ (50.6% to 38%), and walking distance (392.7m to 260m), with increased dyspnea (2.69 to 3.7).

Conclusion: The BODE index proves to be a particularly relevant multidimensional assessment tool for monitoring COPD patients. Statistically significant correlations with essential clinical parameters confirm its value as a reliable prognostic tool, providing a comprehensive and accurate assessment of COPD severity.