DOSE Index (Dyspnea, Obstruction, Smoking, Exacerbations; COPD)
DOSE index (Jones 2009): dyspnea (mMRC), obstruction (FEV₁ % predicted), current smoking, and past-year exacerbations give a 0–8 COPD-review score; ≥ 4 marks markedly higher mortality and admission risk.
Open the calculator → Runs in your browser. Data leaves only if you deliberately send a problem report from the interactive tool.
Example
- mMRC dyspnea grade
- 3 — stops after ~100 m / few minutes (+2)
- FEV₁
- 40
- Current smoker
- Yes
- Exacerbations in the past year
- 3
Result: DOSE 5/8 — higher-risk (4–5; mortality HR 3.48 vs 0–3).
The tool opens with these values already filled in. Replace them with your own.
What the result means
- Risk
- A score ≥ 4 marks markedly higher mortality and hospital-admission risk (mortality HR 3.48 at 4–5, 8.00 at 6–8, vs 0–3). A single trackable severity number, not a treatment order.
What you enter
- mMRC dyspnea grade
- FEV₁ (% predicted)
- Current smoker (+1)
- Exacerbations in the past year
How this is calculated
- Points
- Dyspnea (mMRC 0–1 → 0, 2 → 1, 3 → 2, 4 → 3); obstruction (FEV₁ % predicted ≥ 50 → 0, 30–49 → 1, < 30 → 2); current smoking +1; exacerbations/year (0–1 → 0, 2–3 → 1, ≥ 4 → 2). Total 0–8.
Jones RC, Donaldson GC, Chavannes NH, et al. Derivation and validation of a composite index of severity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: the DOSE index. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2009;180(12):1189-1195. Read the source ↗
A reference and educational tool. Not medical, legal, or financial advice, and not a substitute for clinician judgment.