Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the most important diseases because of high and constantly increasing prevalence, morbidity and mortality. An update of the Global strategy for the diagnosis, management, and prevention of COPD - GOLD report was published in the last days of 2011. In the paper the most important information concerning diagnosis, treatment and prevention of COPD based on GOLD statement 2011 were presented. The most interesting new information concerning diagnosis of COPD are following: post-bronchodilator ratio of FEV1/FVC < 0.7 still confirms the presence of airflow limitation in COPD; assessment of COPD symptoms is based on CAT and mMRC tests; acute bronchodilator reversibility test is no longer recommended for making COPD diagnosis; introduction of a new division of COPD patients into 4 groups (A, B, C or D) based on the level of airflow limitation, risk of exacerbations and severity of symptoms. The last change has fundamental impact on treatment guidelines, as in the past it was based only on spirometric classification, whereas currently it is guided by A-D groups selection.