Question

A 65-year-old man with a 40-pack-year smoking history presents with exertional dyspnoea and chronic cough. Spirometry after bronchodilator shows FEV₁/FVC 0.60 with FEV₁ 55% predicted. According to the Canadian Thoracic Society, which statement best describes his diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

COPD, because post-bronchodilator FEV₁/FVC is <0.70 with chronic symptoms

Answer

Normal spirometry; no chronic lung disease

Answer

Asthma, because FEV₁ is reduced but FEV₁/FVC is normal

Answer

Restrictive lung disease, because FEV₁ is reduced

Answer

Heart failure, because dyspnoea is present and spirometry is not helpful

Practice question

A 65-year-old man with a 40-pack-year smoking history presents with exertional dyspnoea and chronic cough. Spirometry after bronchodilator shows FEV₁/FVC 0.60 with FEV₁ 55% predicted. According to the Canadian Thoracic Society, which statement best describes his diagnosis?