What is the life expectancy of someone who has been diagnosed with copd?

BODE index: A combination of multiple factors predict survival in patients with copd. One such grading system is called bode index. This takes into account body mass index, severity of breathlessness, distance walked in 6 minutes, and lung function. The last two require testing in pulmonary function lab. Bode index can predict 4 yr survival and risk of hospitalization.

Variable: It all depends on the severity of the copd. Prognosis becomes worse with the severity. Once the lung capacity is lower than 40% the median life expectancy is about 48 months. In any individual the prognosis is quite uncertain however.