ObjectiveTo explore the clinical value of Goddard CT grade for comprehensive evaluation of emphysema-type COPD. MethodsA total of 150 patients with emphysema-type COPD were recruited in the study. Chest CT scan was performed with German Siemens Difinition 64-slice spiral CT machine. The Goddard scoring of lung CT manifestations was used to grade lung emphysema. Lung function indexes were measured including FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC, RV, TLC, RV/TLC, DLCO, FEV1% pred, FVC% pred and DLCO% pred, etc. The correlation between Goddard scores and pulmonary function indexes were analyzed. The incidence of hospitalizations, length of hospital stay, severity of illness and complications in the previous year were compared between the patients with different Goddard CT grade. ResultsThere were 57 cases of mild emphysema, 53 cases of moderate emphysema, and 40 cases of severe emphysema judged by Goddard scoring. The pulmonary Goddard scores were positive correlated with RV, TLC, and RV/TLC which reflecting pulmonary function (r value was 0.385, 0.349, 0.455, respectively, all P < 0.05), and negatively correlated with DLCO and DLCO% pred which reflecting pulmonary diffusing capacity (r value was-0.771, -0.787, respectively, P < 0.05). Compared with the mild and moderate emphysema-type patients, the incidence of hospitalization more than one time due to acute exacerbation was significantly higher (χ2 value was 44.69, 25.66, respectively, P < 0.05), the average length of hospital stay was significantly longer [(13.5±4.2) d vs. (6.4±3.1) d and (9.0±3.8) d, P < 0.05] in the severe emphysema-type COPD patients. The severe emphysema-type COPD patients suffered from more severe acute exacerbation, and higher incidence of heart failure, ischemic heart disease and respiratory failure than the mild and moderate emphysema-type patients (P < 0.05). ConclusionsGoddard CT grade in complement with pulmonary function evaluation can provide more comprehensive evaluation of emphysema-type COPD. The higher Goddard score is, the more frequently and severe the acute exacerbation occurs, more easily the COPD patients complicated with respiratory failure, heart failure and other complications.