World COPD Day Theme - Is it COPD?

World COPD Day, November 19, 2003, coordinated by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD), is a partnership between health care groups to let people know  about COPD - a rapidly increasing global health problem.

Is it COPD?

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a common underdiagnosed lung disease that is progressive if not treated. Patients with COPD, who include those with chronic bronchitis and emphysema, usually have symptoms. These range in severity from frequent cough and sputum production to shortness of breath when walking a short distance on the level. 

World COPD Day aims to encourage adults, especially smokers, or those exposed to excessive amounts of smoke at work or home, to see their physician if they have symptoms of COPD.

Symptoms of COPD include:

     Cough
     Sputum production
     Dyspnea on exertion

Chronic cough and sputum production can precede the development of  airflow limitation by many years.

If at all possible, the diagnosis of COPD should be confirmed by spirometry. The earlier a diagnosis can be made, the more effective the treatment will be.

The degree of spirometric abnormality generally reflects the severity of COPD. The FEV1/FVC ratio must be less than 70% for COPD to be diagnosed 

Classification of COPD by Severity

Stage 0:  At Risk:  Chronic cough and sputum production; lung function is still normal.

Stage I:  Mild COPD:  Usually, but not always, chronic cough and sputum production. Mild airflow limitation - FEV1/FVC < 70%; FEV1 > 80 % predicted

Stage II:  Moderate COPD:  Usually worse symptoms, with shortness of breath typically developing on exertion.  FEV1/FVC < 70%; FEV1 between 80-50% predicted

Stage III:  Severe COPD:  Worse symptoms, with noticeable shortness of breath.  FEV1/FVC < 70%; FEV1 between 50-30% predicted

Stage IV:  Very Severe COPD:  Severe symptoms, FEV1/FVC < 70%  and FEV1 < 30% predicted or FEV1 < 50% predicted plus respiratory failure or clinical signs of right heart failure. 


The major differential diagnosis is asthma. 

In countries where tuberculosis is known to be prevalent, investigations to identify tuberculosis should be a routine part of COPD diagnosis. 

COPD deserves some of your time….treatment can make a difference!

For more information about the diagnosis and management of COPD, visit www.goldcopd.com