Characteristics that should trigger a discussion on preferences about end-of-life care
| FEV1 <30% predicted |
| Oxygen dependence |
| One or more hospital admissions in the previous year for an acute exacerbation of COPD |
| Left heart failure or other comorbidities |
| Weight loss or cachexia |
| Decreased functional status |
| Increasing dependence on others |
| Age >70 yrs |
FEV1: forced expiratory volume in one second; COPD: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.