Diagnosis and Assessment of COPD A diagnosis of COPD should be considered in any individual with symptoms of chronic cough, sputum production or dyspnoea and a history of exposure to risk factors for the disease, especially cigarette smoking. The diagnosis should be confirmed by spirometry showing a post-bronchodilator FEV1/ FVC ratio of less than 70%. COPD severity should be assessed based on the severity of spirometric abnormality, symptoms, exercise capacity, complications and the presence of co-morbidities.
