OBJECTIVES: Evaluate diagnostic validity of indirect methods of compliance assessment (Gold standard: number of doses applied per day) in COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) patients with inhaled regular medication. METHODS: Cohort study of 98 patients with follow up of sis months. Variables: age, gender, educational level, comorbidity, COPD staging (by SEPAR recommendations), prescribed drugs, and indirect methods for compliance assessment (Morisky-Green test, Batalla test), and count of number of doses applied per day as gold standard (electronic count or perforated pills number). RESULTS: Predominace of males, with mean age of 69 years (CI 95% 67 – 72); low cultural level, 23% smokers (28 cigarrettes/day [CI 95%, 26.73-30.67]) Overweight (Body Mass Index 29 kg/m2 [CI 95%, 29.1-30.1]). Seventy-five percent of patients are in mild-moderate severity stage with predominance of mixed respiratory pattern; FEV1 (mean) 53.99 (IC 95% 50.07 – 57.91). A total of 1.67 exacerbations per year [IC 95%, 1.31-2.03]. Pharmacological treatment: inhaled anticholinergic 89.8% patients inhaled beta2-adrenérgic 86.7% patients, inhaled corticosteroids 70.4% patients; xantins 16.3% patients, oxygen therapy 5.1% patients; oral corticosteroids 1% patients, mucolytics 2% patients. Sixty-six percent patients (67.3%) completed follow-up. Compílance prevalence: gold standard: 57.6%; Morisky-Green test 50.8% sensibility 58%, specificity 67%, likelihood ratio for positive result 1.76; Batalla test 63.1%; sensibility 83%, specificity 70%, likelihood ratio for positive result 2.76. When consider together both indirect METHODS: sensibility 50%, specificity 89%, likelihood ratio for positive result 4.54. CONCLUSION: Indirect methods for compliance assessment are valid and applicable in clinical follow-up of patients with COPD.