Objective: To investigate the association between symptom clusters and the GOLD ABE classification among patients with stable COPD at the University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City.
Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on 267 patients at University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City (October 2025 to April 2026). Clinical symptoms and GOLD ABE classifications were collected via direct questionnaire-based interviews and medical records. Associations were analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression models.
Results: Univariate logistic regression analysis identified four symptoms significantly associated with the GOLD E classification, including proneness to fatigue (p = 0.016); shortness of breath, panting, dyspnea (p < 0.001); extreme reluctance to speak (p < 0.001); and a low, weak, and powerless voice (p < 0.001). Multivariable logistic regression showed that the respiratory symptom cluster (aOR = 4.25; 95% CI: 1.75-11.3; p = 0.002) and the sleep-related symptom cluster (aOR = 3.33; 95% CI: 1.34-8.80; p = 0.012) were independently associated with GOLD E classification.
Conclusion: Symptoms in patients with COPD tended to co-occur in clusters. The respiratory and sleep-related symptom clusters were independently associated with a higher likelihood of GOLD E classification, suggesting the potential role of a symptom cluster-based approach in identifying patients with a high disease burden and supporting COPD management.