COPD
Medical abbreviation · Respiratory
| Stands for | Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
COPD stands for Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a respiratory abbreviation.
Progressive lung disease with persistent airflow limitation, encompassing emphysema and chronic bronchitis, causing breathlessness, chronic cough, sputum and flare-ups. Smoking is the main cause in high-income countries, while smoke from cooking and heating fuels is a major cause elsewhere; it is among the leading causes of death worldwide.
Example: COPD GOLD 3 (FEV1 38%), two exacerbations last year; on LAMA/LABA, adding ICS given eosinophils 340.
Usage notes
Diagnosis requires spirometry showing a post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC ratio below 0.70. The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) publishes the main international strategy, updated yearly. Quitting smoking, pulmonary rehabilitation, vaccinations and inhaled bronchodilators are core treatments, and long-term oxygen improves survival in severe resting hypoxemia. British texts formerly used COAD (chronic obstructive airways disease). Biologic therapy (dupilumab) was approved for some COPD patients in 2024.
Related abbreviations
More respiratory abbreviations
- BiPAP – Bilevel positive airway pressure
- BOOP – Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia
- BPD – Bronchopulmonary dysplasia
- CAP – Community-acquired pneumonia
- CF – Cystic fibrosis
- COP – Cryptogenic organizing pneumonia
- CPAP – Continuous positive airway pressure
- CPET – Cardiopulmonary exercise test
- CPT – Chest physiotherapy
- CSA – Central sleep apnea
- CSR – Cheyne-Stokes respiration
- CTEPH – Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension
See all 109 respiratory abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.