Katsimigas A, et al. - Researchers assessed an extensive cohort of symptomatic smokers and ex-smokers in a primary care setting to determine the prevalence as well and predictors of COPD. Participants were consecutively recruited by 390 general practitioners for this analysis and were aged ≥ 35 years. Eligible participants also were previously or currently exposed to tobacco, had at least one respiratory symptom, and had no past diagnosis of obstructive airways disease. The investigators also gathered information regarding tobacco exposure, body mass index (BMI), and dyspnea (Medical Research Council dyspnea scale). Diagnostic spirometry, including bronchodilator reversibility test, was performed for all participants with airflow obstruction, ie, FEV₁/FVC < 0.70 at initial lung function test. Findings revealed a high prevalence of COPD among smokers and ex-smokers having one or more respiratory symptoms examined in primary care. An even higher probability of being diagnosed with COPD was reported in relation to the presence of wheeze, phlegm and dyspnea, together with both low BMI and obesity.