Table 2 Seven sets of diagnostic criteria used by different investigators

GOLD [9]

Five steps:

• Diagnose chronic airways disease;

• Syndromic diagnosis of asthma, COPD, and ACOS

• Spirometry

• Commence initial therapy

• Specialised investigations if necessary

GesEPOC [10]

Major criteria:

• Very positive bronchodilator test (increase in FEV1 > 15% and > 400 ml);

• Eosinophilia in sputum;

• Personal history of asthma;

Minor criteria

• High levels of total IgE;

• Personal history of atopy;

• Positive bronchodilator test on at least two occasions (increase of FEV1 > 12% and > 200 ml)

2 major criteria or 1 major and 2 minor criteria should be met

Soler-Cataluna et al. [11]

Major criteria:

• Positive bronchodilator test (increase in FEV1 ≥ 15% and ≥ 400 ml);

• Eosinophilia in sputum;

• Personal history of asthma;

Minor criteria:

• High total IgE;

• Personal history of atopy

• Positive bronchodilator test (increase in FEV1 ≥ 12% and ≥ 200 ml) on two or more occasions.

2 major criteria and 2 minor criteria should be met

Marsh et al. [6]

Meet the definitions of COPD and meet more than one of the following:

• Post-bronchodilation increase in FEV ≥ 15%

• Peak flow variability ≥20% during 1 week of testing

• Physician diagnosis of asthma in conjunction with current symptoms or inhaler use in the preceding 12 months.

Kauppi et al. [5]

Meet the definitions of COPD and meet more than one of the following:

• Post bronchodilator increase in FEV1 of ≥12%;

• Bronchodilator response of ≥15% or diurnal variation of ≥20% in PEF;

• Moderate to severe bronchial hyperreactivity;

• Decrease in FEV1 of ≥15% in the exercise test.

Louie et al. [12]

Major criteria:

• A physician diagnosis of asthma and COPD in the same patient;

• History or evidence of atopy;

• Elevated total IgE;

• Age 40 years or more, smoking > 10 pack-years;

• Post bronchodilator FEV1 < 80% predicted and FEV1/FVC < 70%;

Minor criteria:

• Post bronchodilator FEV1 increase ≥15% or ≥ 12% and ≥ 200 ml increase in FEV1

Rhee [13]

At least one of the spirometric criteria for asthma (positive for bronchodilator response test; positive for provocation test) and at least two of the clinical criteria for asthma (history of asthma before the age of 40 years; elevated sputum eosinophil or FENO; history of allergic disease) and spirometric criterion for COPD (post FEV 1/FVC < 0.7) and clinical criterion for COPD (Smoking > 10 pack years)