STUDY OF BODE INDEX AND ITS COMPONENTS WITH PO2 AND PCO2 IN PATIENTS WITH COPD.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a disorder characterized by persistent airflow obstruction which is not fully reversible. The Body Mass Index, Airflow Obstruction, Dyspnea, Exercise Capacity- BODE Index was shown to be better than FEV1 at predicting risk of death among COPD patients. Increase in dead space and abnormalities in ventilation and perfusion impair oxygen uptake and carbon dioxide elimination in patients with COPD. This study aims to find an association between the BODE index, its components and PO2 and PCO2. Diagnosed cases of COPD were included in the study. All patients included were informed about the study protocol and a valid informed consent was taken. They underwent history taking, thorough clinical examination, Pulmonary Function tests, 6MWT and arterial blood gas analysis. Relation between BODE index and PO2 and PCO2 was more significant than relationship between FEV1 and PO2 and PCO2. Similarly, there was a positive correlation between 6MWD and PO2 and inverse correlation between 6MWD and PCO2. For dyspnea, there was a strong positive correlation with PO2 but only weak inverse correlation with PCO2. BMI had no significant correlation either with PO2 or PCO2. Multidimensional BODE index correlated best with oxygen uptake and carbon-dioxide elimination as compared to any of its components.