[Concept and management of COPD, from past to future]

Our understanding of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has changed dramatically over the past two decades, especially since the first launching of GOLD document in 2001. The first GOLD workshop reports showed the global strategy for the diagnosis, management and prevention of COPD at that time. Its goal was to increase awareness of COPD, and a nihilistic attitude toward COPD occupied a dominant position due to the disappointment with available treatment options. Thereafter, both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments' options have steadily progressed, while the 'COPD' notion has moved from an airflow limitation centric view to a complex and heterogeneous disease, which leads inevitably to the need for personalizing the assessment and treatment of patients with COPD.