Respiratory General Medicine Standard clinical tool — GOLD Guideline
mMRC Dyspnoea Scale
Grades breathlessness severity to guide COPD management and pulmonary rehabilitation referral.
Used in: COPD
Score interpretation
Mild Dyspnoea 0–1
mMRC 0–1: Mild breathlessness. Less symptomatic.
→ COPD: Less symptomatic group (mMRC < 2). GOLD recommends LABA or LAMA.
Significant Dyspnoea 2–4
mMRC ≥2: Significant dyspnoea. More symptomatic group.
→ COPD: More symptomatic group (mMRC ≥2). Dual bronchodilation (LABA+LAMA). Refer for pulmonary rehabilitation.
Interpretation bands for the mMRC. Apply clinical judgement and local guidance.
References
- Fletcher CM et al. The significance of respiratory symptoms. BMJ. 1959.
- GOLD Global Strategy for COPD. 2024.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
Calculators
Drugs
- Azithromycin (COPD Exacerbation Prophylaxis) · Macrolide antibiotic (anti-inflammatory / prophylactic)
- Doxycycline (COPD Exacerbation / CAP) · Oral tetracycline antibiotic
- Co-amoxiclav 625mg (COPD Exacerbation / CAP) · Beta-lactam / Beta-lactamase inhibitor combination antibiotic
- Fluticasone Furoate / Vilanterol · ICS/LABA — Asthma / COPD
- Beclometasone / Formoterol · ICS/LABA — Asthma / COPD
- Fluticasone Furoate / Umeclidinium / Vilanterol · Triple Therapy ICS/LAMA/LABA — COPD
Pathways
- Acute Asthma in Adults · BTS/SIGN British Guideline on Asthma 2019; NICE NG80
- Pulmonary Embolism Assessment · NICE NG158; ESC 2019 PE Guidelines
- Acute Exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) · NICE NG115; GOLD 2024
- Spontaneous Pneumothorax (Adult) · BTS Pleural Disease 2023
- Atypical Pneumonia (Legionella / Mycoplasma / Chlamydophila) · BTS 2023; IDSA
- COPD Exacerbation Management · NICE NG115 / GOLD 2024
Decision support only — verify against a current formulary, NICE, or your local guideline before clinical use.