GOLD staging grades how severe a person's COPD is from spirometry, then combines that with symptoms and exacerbation history to guide treatment — the standard classification system for COPD.
Mild — FEV₁ ≥ 80% predicted.
Moderate — FEV₁ 50–79%.
Severe — FEV₁ 30–49%.
Very severe — FEV₁ < 30%.
GOLD stages the disease itself — airflow limitation plus symptoms and exacerbations — to guide treatment. BODE is a separate, more prognosis-focused score that predicts survival.
Based on post-bronchodilator FEV1 % predicted: GOLD 1 (mild) ≥80%, GOLD 2 (moderate) 50–79%, GOLD 3 (severe) 30–49%, GOLD 4 (very severe) <30%.
They combine symptom burden (mMRC or CAT) with exacerbation history. Group A: low symptoms, few exacerbations. Group B: high symptoms, few exacerbations. Group E: frequent exacerbations regardless of symptoms.
No — GOLD grading is only used once a post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC below 0.70 has confirmed an obstructive pattern.