The definition of an acute exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) has been modified several times the last decade in Global Initiative for COPD (GOLD) recommendations.

According to the updated GOLD 2024 recommendations, an exacerbation of COPD is defined as an event characterized by dyspnea and/or cough and sputum that worsen over <14 days. This definition and all the previous ones are descriptive, mainly due to the lack of certain biomarkers which could support a more accurate definition of AECOPD. Accordingly, the classification of the severity of an exacerbation is based to the level of treatment needed for the management of the event. Currently, COPD exacerbations are classified as mild (treated only with short acting bronchodilators, SABDs), moderate (treated with SABDs and oral corticosteroids ± antibiotics) and severe (visit to the emergency room or hospitalization).

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