What is the correct fev1 stages

[Cough_cough1]

Can anyone answer this for me please I have been searching or trying to find what each stage of copd is classed at. Stage 1 fev1/fvc or is it just what the fev1 is and so on ? Thank you x

[stone-UK]

Hi

The new system is group A/D

The NICE/GOLD use 1/4

Group A (GOLD 1 or 2): Your symptoms are very mild. Your FEV1 is 80% or more. You might have had no flare-ups over the past year, or perhaps just one. You weren’t hospitalized for your symptoms.

Group B (GOLD 1 or 2): Your FEV1 is between 50% and 80%. You have more symptoms than people in Group A. This is the stage where most people see their doctor for coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.

You might have had one major flare-up, but you haven’t been in the hospital for your symptoms within the past year.

Group C (GOLD 3 or 4): Air flow into and out of your lungs is severely limited. Your FEV1 is between 30% and 50%.

You’ve had more than two flare-ups in the past year, or you’ve been admitted to the hospital at least once.

Group D (GOLD 3 or 4): It’s extremely hard for you to breathe in or out. You’ve had at least two flare-ups in the past year, or you’ve been hospitalized at least once.

[Cough_cough1 in reply to stone-UK]

Thank you stone _UK. So that makes me group b then. I was recently diagnosed with copd but doc told me I was mild . But everywhere I looked said I was moderate with my fev1 ranging from 74% and 77% with fev1/fvc at 67%. . Think I should have a word with doc to find out more about this as all I've been told is mild and use my salbutamol inhaler as when needed. . Don't know what copd I have emphysema or what

[stone-UK in reply to Cough_cough1]

Hi

COPD is a umbrella term for chronic bronchitis or emphysema.

Although you can have a element of both,

Bronchitis is over production of mucus .

Emphysema is damage to the Aveoli.

[revagayle in reply to Cough_cough1]

HI, are you in the US? My numbers are almost identical to yours and the docs here all call me mild also. I have emphysema & use Advair x2 daily. are you short of breath? I am but am also very overweight. Do you use an oximeter? I do & it worries me no end. My O2 stats are usually 92-94%. I don't know how this can be mild. They didn't do the DLCO which is important I think. but will do it in 6 months. Take care. Gayle

[Cough_cough1 in reply to revagayle]

Hi no I'm in scotland. X . It's all confusing isn't it. X I don't check my oxygen levels . As I don't have the oximeter. Take care and stay in touch x

[O2Trees in reply to stone-UK]

I find these categories hard to work out Stone, in my case at least. Im severe, fev1 36% so on this scale Id be Group C. But I have only had a total of one very small flare-up which required 5 days pred but no AB in the last two years. So obviously no hospital admissions in that time.

But although the amount of my flare-ups averages 0.5 in one year, I obviously can't fit into Group A with my fev1 at 36%! I find this quite a strange way of describing the stages. Do you have a link I could read for further information please?

[stone-UK in reply to O2Trees]

Hi

webmd.com/lung/copd/emphyse...

Remember this the gold standard not NICE, still waiting for updated version. Though quite likely to follow some elements of GOLD standard.

[O2Trees in reply to stone-UK]

Thanks Stone, interesting.

[Fennella02 in reply to stone-UK]

That's very interesting to read Stone, thank you for posting. It struck me how broad the band B group is - 80% is considered normal yet 50% would give rise to some pretty severe symptoms.

[Sonsafc in reply to stone-UK]

Can I ask please, what does FEV1 mean. Im newly diagnosed copd, and don't understand these terms or what the numbers mean.Sorry to be a pain.

[stone-UK in reply to Sonsafc]

Hi

FEV. Forced Expiratory Volume is the volume of air exhaled in one second. Spirometer test.

Spirometer is the test for lung function capability.

[Hetty11]

The categories don't necessarily fit exactly. I have never been hospitalised with my bronchiectasis however I have had 3 severe infections in the last 7 months. My Doctor and nurse use preds to keep me out of hospital and in work. They take samples and that dictates the AB's to use. So I wouldn't know what rating I am!