Skip To Main Content

Lung Function in COPD

Chronic inflammation drives irreversible structural changes in the lung, leading to persistent, often progressive, airflow obstruction through

*In COPD, the extent of airway wall and alveolar changes varies among individuals. These changes do not always coexist and may progress at different rates over time.
FEV1 , forced expiratory volume in 1 second.

Spirometry is the standard method for assessing lung function decline in COPD

*COPD curve is typical but not universal.
CT, computed tomography; DLCO, diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide; ERV, expiratory reserve volume; FEV1 , forced expiratory volume in 1 second; FRC, functional residual capacity; FVC, forced vital capacity; IC, inspiratory capacity; IOS, impulse oscillometry; MIP/MEP, maximal inspiratory pressure/maximal expiratory pressure.

COPD Leads to an Accelerated Decline in Lung Function Beyond Normal Aging
Chronic Inflammation Drives Structural Lung Damage, Leading to Lung Function Decline
Lung Function Decline Has Severe Clinical Impacts and Contributes to Poor Quality of Life

  1. Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD). Global strategy for the diagnosis, management, and prevention of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Updated 2025.
    Accessed March 2025. https://goldcopd.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/GOLD-2025-Reportv1.0-15Nov2024_WMV.pdf
  2. Zafar MA. Nat Hist Phenotypes Gender Diff COPD. In: COPD Primer. De Gruyter Open Poland; 2015:159-188.
    doi:10.1515/9783110468007-010.
  3. Burke H, Wilkinson TMA. Eur Respir Rev. 2021;30(160):210041.
  4. Johns DP, et al. J Thorac Dis. 2014;6(11):1557-1569.
  5. Mottram C: Ruppel’s manual of pulmonary function testing, ed 10, St. Louis, 2013, Mosby.
  6. Criée CP, et al. Respir Med. 2011;105(7):959-971.
  7. Wanger J, et al. Eur Respir J. 2005;26(3):511-522.
  8. Saadeh C, et al. SAGE Open Med. 2015;3:2050312115578957.
  9. Schoser B, et al. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2017;12(1):52.
  10. Rehman AU, et al. Sci Rep. 2021;11(1):13578.
  11. Sin DD. Tuberc Respir Dis (Seoul). 2023;86(2):71-81.
  12. Hansel TT, Barnes PJ. Lancet. 2009;374(9691):744-755.
  13. Donaldson GC, et al. Thorax. 2002;57(10):847-852.
  14. Wedzicha JA, Seemungal TAR. Lancet. 2007;370(9589):786-796.
  15. Dransfield MT, et al. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2017;195(3):324-330.
  16. Watz H, et al. Respir Res. 2018;19(1):251.
  17. Garcia-Aymerich J, et al. Thorax. 2011;66(7):585-590.
  18. Ferrera MC, et al. Ann Am Thorac Soc. 2024;21(3):421-427.
  19. Schleimer RP, Berdnikovs S. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2017;139(6):1752-1761.
  20. Yang Y, et al. Clin Respir J. 2021;15(10):1027-1045.
  21. Lloyd CM, Snelgrove RJ. Sci Immunol. 2018;3(25):eaat1604.
  22. Gandhi NA, et al. Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2016;15(1):35-50.
  23. Barnes PJ. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2016;138(1):16-27.
  24. Linden D, et al. Eur Respir Rev. 2019;28(151):180063.
  25. Cook N, et al. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. 2019;14:1365-1376.
  26. Stolz D, et al. Lancet. 2022;400(10356):921-972.
  27. Hogea SP, et al. Clin Resp J. 2020;14(3):183-197.
  28. Jamieson DB, et al. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2013;188(2):187-192.
  29. Wageck B, et al. COPD. 2019;16(1):93-103.
  30. Higham A, et al. Respir Res. 2019;20(1):49.
  31. Barnes PJ, Celli BR. Eur Respir J. 2009;33(5):1165-1185.
  32. Dal Negro RW, et al. Multidiscip Respir Med. 2015;10(1):24.
  33. Gaddam S, et al. BMC Pulm Med. 2016;16(1):158.
Related articles
MAT-BH-2600494-v1.0-09/2026