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Spirometric Classification

Table 1. - Spirometric general classification

SeverityPostbronchodilator FEV1/FVCFEV1 % predicted
At risk

Patients who:

  • smoke or have exposure to pollutants
  • have cough, sputum or dyspnea
  • have family history of respiratory disease
>0.7≥80
Mild COPD≤0.7≥80
Moderate COPD≤0.750-80
Severe COPD≤0.730-50
Very severe COPD≤0.7<30
FEV1: forced expiratory volume in one second; FVC: forced vital capacity.

Spirometric classification has proved useful in predicting health status [4], utilisation of healthcare resources [5], development of exacerbation [6, 7] and mortality [8] in COPD. It is intended to be applicable to populations [9] and not to substitute clinical judgment in the evaluation of the severity of disease in individual patients.

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