The effects of standard therapy for COPD patients on FEV1 are associated with lower score of the Goddard classification

Background: The relation between scores in the Goddard classification and therapy responsiveness has not been fully understood in COPD patients who were not previously receiving any maintenance treatment. Aims and objectives: To investigate which score group in the Goddard classification has good therapy responsiveness in the treatment-naive COPD patients. Methods: The Goddard classification was evaluated initially using high resolution CT. Patients received standard therapy in accordance with GOLD guideline for one year. Relations between several outcomes (post-dose spirometry, COPD assessment test [CAT] as QOL, and Physical functioning scale of 10 [PF10]) and the Goddard score were assessed. Results : 49 patients (mean age, 69.9±8.1 years) were enrolled in this study. The relation between changes in post-bronchodilator FEV1 (FEV1 at the start minus FEV1 at the end of the study) and Goddard scores was assessed by applied regression curve (y = 0.0013x2 - 0.0249x + 0.1537, R² = 0.1378). Patients with the Goddard score of 4.0 or less had a tendency to have a good responsiveness to the therapy. CAT score improved, especially score in domain of cough and dyspnea showed statistically significant improvement. PF10 score improved as well. However, no significant correlations among CAT, PF10, and the Goddard scores were revealed. Conclusion : In Japanese patients with COPD who are not on maintenance therapy, low score group in the Goddard classification has good responsiveness to the standard treatment in accordance with GOLD recommendation.