1 - COPD Flashcards

1
Q

Definition of COPD

A
  • Chronic (progressive, non-curable)
  • Obstructive (blockage)
  • Pulmonary (lungs)
  • Disease
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2
Q

How is COPD diagnosed?

A
  • Symptoms
  • History – smoking or other exposures, other lung disease
  • Spirometry (obstruction and/or restriction that isn’t reversible = COPD)
  • *No screening w/o sx
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3
Q

Step 1 for COPD tx. Give examples

A
  • Short acting bronchodilator; can be SAMA (muscarinic) or SABA (beta)
  • Short acting muscarinic antagonist (SAMA) = ipratropium
  • Short acting beta agonist (SABA) = salbutamol
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4
Q

Compare and contrast SAMA vs. SABA

A
  • Equivalent efficacy in COPD
    • Improves sx, not exacerbations
  • Schedule = QID then PRN
  • Salbutamol cheaper
  • Only MDI (requires aerochamber)
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5
Q

Step 2 for COPD tx. Give examples

A
  • Long acting bronchodilators; can be LAMA (muscarinic) or LABA (beta)
  • Long acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA) = glycopyrronium, tiotropium, aclidinium, umeclidinium
  • Long acting beta agonists (LABA) = salmeterol, indacaterol, formoterol
  • LAMA slightly better than LABA, so preferred for step 2 but depends on pt preference or cost
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6
Q

Compare and contract short acting vs. long acting bronchodilators

A
  • LAMA decreases exacerbations (~1 less exacerbation in 4 years), hospitalizations, adverse effects, and increases QOL
  • LABA decreases sx and increases QOL and FEV1
    • Smaller decrease in exacerbations vs. LAMA
  • Schedule = OD or BID vs. QID
  • Increased cost vs. SABD
  • Devices = more variety, no aerochamber
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7
Q

Examples of LAMA + LABA inhalers

A
  • Glycopyrronium + indacaterol
  • Umeclidinium + vilanterol,
  • Aclidinium + formoterol
  • Tiotropium + oladaterol
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8
Q

Compare and contract LAMA vs. LAMA + LABA

A
  • Efficacy vs LAMA = no difference in exacerbations, hospitalizations, or mortality; statistically significant increase in QOL (but not clinically significant on average); FEV1 increased by 0.06
  • Schedule = mostly OD
  • Increased cost
  • Devices = same variety (pt can try the inhaler & see if it helps their sx & then decide if the cost is worth it)
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9
Q

Describe the FLAME trial

A
  • Studied LAMA + LABA vs. LABA + ICS x 1 year

- Results = LAMA + LABA better than LABA + ICS (less exacerbations, rescue puffs, & pneumonia)

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10
Q

Describe the INSTEAD trial

A
  • Intervention:
    • Salmeterol/fluticasone x 3 or more months
    • Then continue ICS + LABA or change to just LABA (indacaterol) for 6 more months
  • Results = LABA monotherapy no worse than LABA + ICS
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11
Q

Describe the WISDOM trial

A
  • Intervention:
    • Salmeterol + tiotropium + fluticasone (LABA/LAMA/ICS) x 6 weeks
    • Then continue triple therapy, or taper off fluticasone (over 12 weeks)
    • Then LAMA/LABA vs. LAMA/LABA/ICS x 1 year
  • Results = in px on LAMA/LABA tapering off ICS didn’t change outcomes
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12
Q

Describe the IMPACT trial

A
  • LAMA/LABA/ICS vs. LAMA/LABA or LABA/ICS x 1 year
  • Included px w/ asthma (steroids are 1st line for asthma, so obviously will help)
  • Results = triple therapy better than LABA + ICS in COPD px who also have asthma (not relevant)
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13
Q

Summarizes the efficacy of the different tx for COPD

A
  • SABA = improves sx
  • LAMA = improves exacerbations (decrease by ~1 q4years), hospitalizations, QOL, and adverse effects
  • LAMA + LABA = improves FEV1, unknown effect on sx
  • LAMA + LABA + ICS = unknown if produces any improvement, increases risk of pneumonia
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14
Q

What are some non-pharms for COPD?

A
  • Quit smoking – decreases mortality by 40%, improves sx & lung function, improves QOL
  • Vaccines – annual flu & pneumonia
  • Physical activity
  • CVD risk reduction where applicable (statins, BP meds)
  • *All have a larger impact on hard outcomes (mortality, hospitalizations, QOL) than inhalers
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15
Q

What is the benefit of pulmonary rehab?

A
  • Provides education, smoking cessation, exercise training, nutrition counseling, psychosocial support
  • For anyone w/ disabling COPD, can be referred by anyone
  • Proven improvements in sx, exercise tolerance, & QOL
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16
Q

Define a COPD exacerbation

A

Acute worsening of sx over > 48 h

17
Q

Describe the tx for a COPD exacerbation

A
  1. Schedule SABD (salbutamol or ipratropium 2 puffs QID)
    - - Continue maintenance inhalers
    - - +/- oxygen
  2. Systemic steroids (prednisone 50 mg x 5 days)
  3. Sometimes antibiotics (if change in sputum colour and increased sputum volume or increased dyspnea)
18
Q

Describe the use of systemic steroids for COPD. Efficacy, benefit, and is tapering required?

A
  • Efficacy = increases FEV1 and decreases tx failure
  • Largest trial (SCOPE) showed largest FEV1 benefit at 3 days
    • 2 studies showed most effect in 5 days w/ little improvement beyond
  • Tapering only required if using steroids > 14 days (will likely never have to taper for COPD exacerbations)
19
Q

Describe the use of antibiotics for COPD

A
  • < 4 exacerbations/year = amoxicillin 1 g TID x 5-7 days or doxycycline 200 mg once, then 100 mg BID x 5-7 days
  • 4 or more exacerbations/year OR failure of first line agents above OR antibiotics in past 3 months = amox/clav 875/125 BID x 5-10 days or cefuroxime 500-1000 mg BID x 5-10 days
20
Q

Describe the use of home O2 for COPD

A
  • If O2 sats are low when maximized other therapy
  • Absolutely can’t be a smoker (flammable)
  • Efficacy = decreases sx & mortality and increases exercise
    • Also decreases QOL, very high cost, & many adverse effects
21
Q

What is included in palliative care for COPD and when is it used?

A
  • When no longer worried about mortality, exacerbations or hospitalizations, but sx
    1. Oxygen (covered by Palliative care program)
    2. Opioids – decreases sensation of breathlessness; low dose (morphine 1 mg q1-2h prn)
22
Q

Summary/ tips for COPD

A
  • COPD inhalers don’t make huge improvements, but may be important to px
  • Pt preference is important in inhaler choice
  • Combo inhalers can be great for cost & adherence, but only when both drugs are needed (add 1 at a time to assess true effect after 2-3 months)
  • ICS rarely justified (unless asthma coexists)
  • Continually re-educate and re-assess adherence and technique