Comprehensive Guide to Diagnosing COPD

This article provides an in-depth overview of COPD diagnosis methods, including spirometry, imaging, and lab tests, along with severity staging to guide effective treatment strategies.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) diagnosis relies on clinical symptoms, lung function tests, laboratory analysis, and imaging techniques. Spirometry remains the key diagnostic tool, measuring lung capacity and airflow. It assesses how much air a person can forcibly exhale in one second (FEV1), total exhaled air, and overall lung volume. Typical COPD indicators include a FEV1/FVC ratio below 0.7 and FEV1 under 80%. Chest X-rays can reveal lung hyperinflation, while blood tests and sputum cultures help identify inflammation and oxygen levels. COPD severity is classified into four stages per the American Thoracic Society, from mild to severe, based on FEV1 percentages. Proper diagnosis ensures timely intervention and management.