State and describe the classification system for COPD that is gaining world acceptance.

The GOLD guidelines use a combined COPD assessment approach to group patients according to symptoms and risk for exacerbations. Symptoms are assessed first, to determine if a patient has to stop when walking or walks slower than others (Modified British Medical Research Council [mMRC] score of ≥2). The risk for exacerbation based on the airflow obstruction or previous exacerbations (the greater of the twp) is then assessed to determine the group.

Group A: patients have few symptoms and low risk of exacerbations


Group B: patients have more symptoms and low risk of exacerbations


Group C: patients have few symptoms but higher risk of exacerbations


Group D: patients have more symptoms and high risk of exacerbations.