ObjectiveTo investigate the diagnosis and classification of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in high risk populations living in metropolitan communities of Beijing. MethodsDuring January 2011 to December 2012,a cross-sectional survey including questionnaires and pulmonary function tests were performed in high risk populations of COPD (aged≥40 years with a history of smoking or chronic bronchitis) at 6 communities in Dongcheng District of Beijing. For those confirmed to have COPD,the dyspnea was rated by the modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale (mMRC),and the frequency of acute exacerbations in the last year was recorded. The patients were classified by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD 2011) classification criteria. ResultsA total of 932 individuals,including 689 males (73.9%,aged 60.8±12.5 years) and 243 females(26.1%,aged 59.8±12.1 years),who had risk factors of COPD were included in the screening. COPD was confirmed in 203 patients,with the prevalence of 21.8%,and among whom only 31 cases (15.3%) had been diagnosed as COPD in the past. According to the revised GOLD classification in 2011,96(47.2%),38(18.7%),56(27.5%),and 13(6.4%) patients were classified into group A,B,C and D,respectively. The proportion of subgroup C1 (FEV1%pred <50% and the number of exacerbation in the last year <2) in group C was 71.4% (40/56). ConclusionIn the metropolitan communities of Beijing,screening the population with predisposing factors can increase the early diagnosis of COPD,which is often delayed by the lack of significant symptoms. The high proportion of patients in group C in this population implies that disease screening in high risk populations may be helpful for the prevention and treatment of COPD.