Question:

According to the GOLD criteria, very severe COPD is defined by which of the following?

Show Hint

Very severe (Stage IV) sits at the lowest FEV1 percent predicted threshold.
Updated On: Jun 23, 2026
  • FEV1/FVC <70 and FEV1 < 30
  • FEV1/FVC <70 and FEV1 < 70
  • FEV1/FVC <70 and FEV1 < 50
  • Both A and C
Show Solution
collegedunia
Verified By Collegedunia

The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: COPD diagnosis requires spirometry, and a post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC ratio less than 0.70 confirms persistent airflow limitation. All severity grades therefore start from this ratio.
Step 2: The GOLD spirometric grades are then set by the FEV1 percent predicted. Stage IV (Very Severe) COPD is defined as FEV1/FVC \(< 70\%\) with FEV1 \(< 30\%\) predicted.
Step 3: Hence option (a), FEV1/FVC less than 70 and FEV1 less than 30, matches the very severe category and is the answer.
Step 4: The distractors are wrong because FEV1 less than 70 corresponds to mild-to-moderate disease, and FEV1 less than 50 (but \(\geq 30\)) defines severe (Stage III), not very severe. So option (a) is correct.
Was this answer helpful?
0
0

Top NEET PG Medicine Questions

View More Questions