Abstract:

This article draws on the 2024 Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) report to explore the challenges in the early diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It examines and distinguishes concepts such as “early COPD” and “pre-COPD,” highlighting their conceptual differences from practical early diagnosis. Currently, early diagnosis faces difficulties in identifying high-risk individuals, defining the onset of the disease, and ensuring the consistency of pulmonary function results. Therefore, the author argues that priority should be given to improving the overall diagnostic rate of COPD. It is recommended to implement standardized pulmonary function screening for high-risk populations and establish long-term management, which represents the most feasible approach to early intervention at present.

Key words: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Early diagnosis, Global Initiative, Conceptual analysis, High-risk population