How would a COPD patient with an FEV1/FVC ratio of 65% and an FEV1 of 45% be classified?

In the classification of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) according to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) criteria, the staging is primarily based on the Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1) as a percentage of predicted values.

In this case, the patient's FEV1/FVC ratio is 65%, which meets the criteria for COPD since it is less than 70%. The FEV1 value of 45% indicates significant airflow limitation. According to the GOLD classification:

• Stage 1 (Mild) is characterized by an FEV1 of 80% or more of the predicted value.

• Stage 2 (Moderate) has an FEV1 between 50% and 79% of the predicted value.

• Stage 3 (Severe) displays an FEV1 between 30% and 49% of the predicted value.

• Stage 4 (Very Severe) is defined by an FEV1 of less than 30% of the predicted value or a chronic respiratory failure.

Given that the patient has an FEV1 of 45%, this fits squarely into the criteria for Stage 3, indicating a severe form