Which tools are commonly used to assess the symptom burden of COPD?

The correct choice is the mMRC (modified Medical Research Council) dyspnea scale and the CAT (COPD Assessment Test) as tools commonly used to assess the symptom burden of COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease).

The mMRC scale specifically evaluates the level of dyspnea or breathlessness experienced by a patient during daily activities. It helps categorize the severity of symptoms based on how the patient perceives difficulty in breathing, allowing healthcare providers to understand the impact of COPD on a person’s quality of life.

The CAT complements this by measuring a broader range of COPD-related symptoms and their effect on daily functioning, incorporating aspects like cough, sputum production, and energy levels. The CAT provides a systematic way to assess the patient's overall health status, making it a valuable tool for establishing a baseline and tracking changes over time.

Using these two instruments together provides a comprehensive view of the symptom burden in COPD, enabling clinicians to tailor treatment plans more effectively.

The other options include tools that are not specifically tailored for assessing COPD symptoms. For example, the Beck Depression Inventory is focused on assessing depression rather than respiratory symptoms, while the Visual Analog Scale and EQ-5D are more general health status measures. Likewise, the Brief