Characteristics of 2017 GOLD COPD group A

What is it about?

The Global Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) guideline, which is the most widely used treatment guide, was updated in 2017. The important change is the ABCD assessment tool which has been modified to utilize only respiratory symptoms and history of exacerbations. Group A, representing patients with few symptoms and no exacerbations, was the most widely distributed group in previous studies. However, little is known about the characteristics of Group A. We investigated the clinical characteristics of Group A by stratification according to an mMRC grade of 0 or 1.

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Why is it important?

Under the GOLD 2017 classification, Group A patients account for approximately half of patients in Japan. Their characteristics are young, higher pulmonary function, and lighter pharmacotherapy intensity. The prevalence of mMRC grade 1 patients was about two-thirds of Group A. Compared to the mMRC 0 patients, mMRC 1 patients showed a tendency to have a higher proportion of exacerbations and lower pulmonary function. Regardless of the mMRC grade, there was not much difference in physicians’ pharmacotherapy selection in Group A. We suggest that the stratification of GOLD Group A patients according to an mMRC grade of 0 or 1 would assist in the clinical management of COPD in everyday practice.

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