FIND-A1 COPD SEVERITY
The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) works with health care professionals and public health officials to raise awareness of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and to improve prevention and treatment of this lung disease for patients around the world.
Go to www.goldcopd.org for their latest Spirometry Guide for Health Care Providers.
Below is an extract from the 2011 revision.
All stages described are only applicable when the ratio of FEV1/FVC is less than 70% after bronchdilator.
|
Stage# |
Stage |
FEV1 range as % of predicted |
Symptoms |
|
1 |
Mild |
FEV1 ≥ 80% predicted |
At this stage, the patient may not be aware that his/her lung function is abnormal. |
|
2 |
Moderate |
50% ≤ FEV1 < 80% predicted |
Symptoms usually progress at this stage with shortness of breath typically developing on exertion. |
|
3 |
Severe |
30% ≤ FEV1 < 50% predicted |
Shortness of breath typically worsens at this stage and often limits patients’ daily activities. Exacerbations are seen beginning at this stage. |
|
4 |
Very Severe |
FEV1 < 30% predicted |
At this stage, quality of life is very appreciably impaired and exacerbations may be life-threatening. |
In previous revisions stage 4 was defined as "FEV1 < 30% predicted OR FEV1 < 50% predicted plus chronic respiratory failure".
The practice of using Roman numerals for the stages is becoming less common.
Predicted values for FEV1 and FVC are described on page FEV1&FVC
Respiratory failure occurs when the respiratory system fails in oxygenation and/or carbon dioxide (CO2) elimination. A simple, medically approved description is available at Patient.co.uk