World COPD Day 2024
The 2024 theme for World COPD Day is “Know Your Lung Function."
World COPD Day takes place on Wednesday November 20th. This year's theme aims to highlight the importance of measuring lung function, also known as spirometry. Although spirometry is an integral tool for diagnosing COPD, it can also be used to measure lung health throughout life. Spirometry can detect COPD before symptoms are even recognised. The results can also be used to help determine the stage/severity of your COPD and can be used to help set treatment goals. Spirometry is a simple test that measures how much air you breathe out and how fast you can blow air out.
Pulmonary function testing has three basic components:1) spirometry, 2) lung volumes, and 3) diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO). Each of these components can be affected by COPD. However, only spirometry is necessary to make the diagnosis of COPD.
Classification of severity of airflow limitation in COPD:
In pulmonary function testing, a post-bronchodilator FEV₁/FVC ratio of <0.7 is commonly considered diagnostic for COPD. The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) system categorises airflow limitation into stages. In patients with FEV₁/FVC <0.7:
- GOLD 1 - mild: FEV₁ ≥80% predicted
- GOLD 2 - moderate: 50% ≤ FEV₁ <80% predicted
- GOLD 3 - severe: 30% ≤ FEV₁ <50% predicted
- GOLD 4 - very severe: FEV₁ <30% predicted.
The GOLD guideline uses a combined 'ABE' approach to assess patients according to their level of symptoms and previous history of exacerbations. Symptoms are assessed using the Modified British Medical Research Council (mMRC) or COPD assessment test (CAT) scale.
We now know that there are many other factors besides tobacco smoke that can contribute to COPD.
Our lungs are continuing to grow, from the womb all the way through young adulthood. Throughout this period we are vulnerable to damage from air pollution, respiratory infections that can impede lung growth and increase our risk for developing chronic lung disease later in life. Unfortunately, much lung function can be lost before we develop symptoms. Lung function is not only a predictor of lung health, but our overall health. Even small decrements in lung function are associated with increased risk of death. Measuring lung function throughout life can provide opportunities for early diagnosis and prompt treatment of multiple lung diseases, including COPD.
On World COPD Day, we understand the importance of educating our own teams better and using the opportunity to promote good lung health and talk about World COPD Day with patients/clinicians alike. It is important to spread the word which might help someone visit their GP and be referred on for relevant pulmonary function testing. Early diagnosis is the key.