COPD - life expectancy

and Martina Feichter, medical editor and biologist

Dr. med. Mira Seidel is a freelance writer for the medical team.

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Martina Feichter studied biology with an elective subject pharmacy in Innsbruck and also immersed herself in the world of medicinal plants. From there it was not far to other medical topics that still captivate her to this day. She trained as a journalist at the Axel Springer Academy in Hamburg and has been working for since 2007 - first as an editor and since 2012 as a freelance writer.

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What is the COPD life expectancy? Many patients and relatives ask themselves this question. As the disease progresses, the life expectancy of COPD patients will decrease. A significant increase in life is possible, especially by refraining from smoking. Read here which other factors influence COPD life expectancy and how it can be estimated in individual cases.

ICD codes for this disease: ICD codes are internationally recognized codes for medical diagnoses. They can be found, for example, in doctor's letters or on certificates of incapacity for work. J44

COPD life expectancy: influencing factors

COPD life expectancy depends on various influencing factors. Among other things, the one-second capacity, nicotine consumption, exacerbations, age and any concomitant diseases are important.

COPD Life Expectancy: One Second Capacity

One factor influencing COPD life expectancy is the one-second capacity (FEV1). This is the largest possible lung volume that can be forced out within a second. If the one-second capacity is more than 1.25 liters, the average life expectancy is ten years. Patients with an FEV1 between 0.75 and 1.25 liters still have a life expectancy of five years. With a one-second capacity of less than 0.75 liters, statistically speaking, there is still a three-year life expectancy.

COPD life expectancy: stop smoking

Quitting smoking early has been shown to prolong life. According to the American Cancer Society, the life expectancy of smokers is generally at least ten years shorter than that of nonsmokers. If you successfully stop smoking before the age of 40, the risk of dying from smoke-related diseases such as COPD is reduced by around 90 percent. Those who quit smoking earlier will benefit even more in terms of health (and finances). If COPD patients cannot or do not want to do without cigarettes etc., the progression of the disease cannot be stopped - with the risk of premature death.

COPD life expectancy: exacerbations

Exacerbations are acute worsening of COPD symptoms. Any acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) shortens life expectancy in COPD patients.

COPD life expectancy: age and comorbidities

Certain factors can promote a severe course of the disease and thus reduce COPD life expectancy. For example, if the person concerned is very old or has another serious concomitant disease such as heart failure or diabetes mellitus, it is likely to get worse. An increased level of carbon dioxide in the blood (hypercapnia) or previous long-term therapy with oral steroids can also negatively affect COPD life expectancy.

COPD life expectancy: BODE index

The BODE index helps to calculate the likely COPD life expectancy of a patient: Patients with a high BODE index of no more than 10 have a poor life expectancy. Patients with a value of 0 have the lowest mortality risk.

Four easily determinable parameters are included in the BODE index:

B for “body mass index”: The BMI is calculated from body height and weight.
O for "obstruction": The lung function is determined using the one-second capacity (FEV1).
D for "dyspnea": The shortness of breath is determined using the "Modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale" (MMRC scale).
E for "exercise capacity": The physical load capacity is measured with the 6-minute walk test. The patient has to walk on a level track for six minutes. A healthy adult covers an average of 700 to 800 meters, a COPD patient less depending on fitness.

The MMRC grades, i.e. the extent of the patient's shortness of breath, are defined as follows:

MMRC grade 0	Heavy exertion dyspnea
MMRC grade 1	Dyspnea when walking quickly or when climbing gently
MMRC grade 2	Walking slower than their peers due to dyspnoea
MMRC grade 3	Dyspnea when walking 100 m
MMRC grade 4	Dyspnea on dressing / undressing

Points are awarded for the individual parameters of the BODE index:

parameter	Points
	0	1	2	3
BMI (kg / m²)	>21	<21
One-second capacity, FEV1 (% of target)	>65	50 - 64	36 - 49	<35
Shortness of breath, MMRC	0-1	2	3	4
Six-minute walk test	>350	250 - 349	150 - 249	<149