[Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) phenotypes]

COPD--a progressive inflammatory disorder in the airways and lung parenchyma - is also associated with manifestations beyond the lungs. Although the diagnosis of COPD is based on spirometry, severity of airflow obstruction poorly predicts clinically important outcomes. Recently a COPD phenotype was defined as "a single or combination of disease attributes that describe differences between individuals with COPD as they relate to clinically meaningful outcomes". Four predominant clinical phenotypes were introduced. Awareness of them can lead to more accurate diagnostics and treatments specifically targeted for a specific subpopulation.