Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease(COPD) is a common, preventable and treatable disease that is characterized by persistent respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation that is due to airway and/or alveolar abnormaliies caused by significant exposure to noxious paricles or gases.

Spirometry is required to make the diagnosis; the presence of a post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC < 0.70 confirms the presence of persistent airflow limitation. The goals of COPD assessement are to determine the level of airflow limitation, the impact of disease on the patient’s health statuss, and the risk of future events(such as exacerbations, hospital admissions, or death), in order to guide therapy.