How is COPD severity measured?
A breathing test known as spirometry is required to confirm a diagnosis of COPD. During a spirometry test, airflow limitation is measured and then classified according to its severity.
What are the classification of COPD?
Depending on the symptomatic impact, patients are classified as having less symptoms (CAT<10 or mMRC 0–1) or more symptoms (CAT≥10 or mMRC≥2). Thus, four categories are identified: A (low risk, less symptoms), B (low risk, more symptoms), C (high risk, less symptoms), D (high risk, more symptoms).
What is classed as serious COPD?
Very severe COPD. You are breathless all the time and it severely limits everyday activities, such as dressing and undressing. At the most severe stage of COPD, quality of life is significantly reduced because of ongoing shortness of breath. Trouble breathing may even be life-threatening during some episodes.
What is the best indication of severity of COPD?
The diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) should be suspected in patients with risk factors (primarily a history of smoking) who report dyspnea at rest or with exertion, chronic cough with or without sputum production, or a history of wheezing.
What is considered mild COPD?
Mild COPD is defined by a post-bronchodilator FEV1 that is 80% of predicted or greater in the presence of an FEV1/FVC ratio of less than 70% and characteristic symptoms such as exertional dyspnea in most cases (Celli and MacNee 2004; Rabe et al 2007).
How do I know what stage of COPD I have?
COPD Stages
- Stage 1: Mild. At this stage, you may not know you have COPD.
- Stage 2: Moderate. At this stage, people have a cough, mucus, and shortness of breath.
- Stage 3: Severe. Your lung function has seriously declined at this stage.
- Stage 4: Very Severe. At this stage, you have very low lung function.