GOLD-Grade Specific Disease Characterization and Phenotyping of COPD Using Quantitative Computed Tomography in the Nationwide COSYCONET Multicenter Trial in Germany

QCT demonstrates increasing hyperinflation and emphysema depending on the GOLD grade, while airway wall thickening increases until GOLD3 and airway dilatation occur in GOLD4. QCT identifies four disease phenotypes with implications for lung function and prognosis.