🌬️ GOLD ABE Group (COPD)
GOLD 2026 ABE assessment grouping for stable COPD, combining symptom burden and exacerbation history to guide initial therapy.
GOLD ABE Group (COPD)
Exacerbations in the past year
Symptom burden
When to use
Use to assign group A, B, or E and select initial inhaled therapy in stable COPD.
How it works
Group E for ≥ 1 moderate exacerbation or ≥ 1 hospitalization in the past year (initial LABA+LAMA, consider ICS if eosinophils ≥ 300); otherwise group B (mMRC ≥ 2/CAT ≥ 10 → LABA+LAMA) or group A (low symptoms → single bronchodilator).
Key points
- From the 2023 revision the former C/D groups merged into a single high-risk group E, simplifying the matrix (original synthesis · not guideline verbatim).
- GOLD 2026 lowered the bar — even one moderate exacerbation places a patient in group E.
- Airflow-limitation grade (GOLD 1–4 by FEV1%) is reported separately and does not set the letter group.
References
Decision support for licensed clinicians only; not a substitute for clinical judgement, diagnosis or local protocols.