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TYPES AND SEVERITY
OF COPD

CLASSIFYING COPD

Type and severity of COPD

To determine how to treat COPD, your doctor will first need to verify which type of COPD you have, and then determine how severe the condition is.

Type

Based on certain blood tests, the type of damage your lungs already show and whether you have other chronic conditions, your doctor will determine the type of COPD you most probably have. The types of COPD (e.g. eosinophilic COPD, emphysematous COPD, chronic bronchitis, etc.) will determine which medication may be more effective. 10

Severity

Your doctor will also determine the severity of the condition by looking at the following, and assign you into a risk group (Group A, B or E): 10,12
  • The level of your lung function (spirometry score)
  • How often you have exacerbations (flares)
  • How your symptoms interfere with your daily activities (by using a questionnaire)
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Group A

Lung function severely to very severely affected, low risk of future exacerbations with low symptom burden

Group B

Lung function severely to very severely affected, low risk of future exacerbations with high symptom burden

Group E

Lung function mildly to moderately affected, high risk of future exacerbations, low or high burden of symptoms

Group A

Lung function severely to very severely affected, low risk of future exacerbations with low symptom burden

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Group B

Lung function severely to very severely affected, low risk of future exacerbations with high symptom burden

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Group E

Lung function mildly to moderately affected, high risk of future exacerbations, low or high burden of symptoms

Are you at risk of having COPD? Answer these questions to determine your risk.

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COPD complications

When you have COPD, the flow of air through the lungs is reduced, leaving your body deprived of oxygen.

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Exacerbation (flare)

An exacerbation is commonly called a “flare” – it is when you have trouble breathing and/or are coughing with phlegm that worsens over less than 14 days.

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