COPD: GOLD 2011 and implications for clinical practice

INTRODUCTION The 2011 Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) contains significant changes in terms of classification and treatment. AIMS To compare the GOLD 2011 and 2010 classification system in COPD patients and evaluation of its clinical and therapeutic implications. METHODS Application of both GOLD classifications in COPD patients followed in a Pulmonology consultation who consecutively performed pulmonary function tests (PFTs) from March to August/2012. Data were collected by clinical consultation or telephone interview, two weeks or less after PFTs. RESULTS Sixty-five patients were evaluated (69.2% men, mean age 68.8+10.7years), 58.5% with smoking habits. Using the GOLD 2010, 49.2% were stage II, 23.1% stage III, 13.8% stage IV and 13.8% stage I. With GOLD 2011, 40% belonged to group B, 38.5% group D, 15.4% group A and 6.2% group C. The mean COPD Assessment Test (CAT) score was 17.8+10.1. One year history of exacerbations was present in 49.2% patients. CAT score was correlated with FEV1 (r =-0.39) (p