Which GOLD stage corresponds to FEV1 <30% predicted?

Which GOLD stage corresponds to FEV1 <30% predicted?

• A. GOLD 1
• B. GOLD 2
• C. GOLD 3
• D. GOLD 4

Answer: (D)

Understanding how GOLD staging uses FEV1 percent predicted to describe COPD severity helps here. FEV1 measures how much air you can forcefully exhale in one second, and after bronchodilator testing it reflects the degree of airway obstruction. GOLD divides severity by FEV1 % predicted: mild or stage I is about 80% or more, moderate or stage II is 50–79%, severe or stage III is 30–49%, and very severe or stage IV is less than 30%. Since less than 30% predicted is the lowest threshold, it marks the most severe level of COPD.

Understanding how GOLD staging uses FEV1 percent predicted to describe COPD severity helps here. FEV1 measures how much air you can forcefully exhale in one second, and after bronchodilator testing it reflects the degree of airway obstruction. GOLD divides severity by FEV1 % predicted: mild or stage I is about 80% or more, moderate or stage II is 50–79%, severe or stage III is 30–49%, and very severe or stage IV is less than 30%. Since less than 30% predicted is the lowest threshold, it marks the most severe level of COPD.