13a. Clinical Features of COPD Flashcards
What is the definition of COPD?
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic, slowly progressive disorder characterised by airflow obstruction that does not change markedly over several months. Most of the the lung function impairment is fixed, although some reversibility can be produced by bronchodilator (or other) therapy
What is there no mention of in the definition?
Symptoms
Bronchitis or Emphysema
Smoking
What does obstruction of the airways occur because of?
Small-airway narrowing
Worsened by inflammation and mucus
Want does obstruction of the airways lead to?
Progressive breathlessness on exertion, along with coughing and wheezing
Out of Asthma, Chronic Bronchitis and Emphysema, which two of these does COPD cover the most?
Chronic Bronchitis and Emphysema
What is the prevalence of COPD?
1.2 million in the UK diagnosed with COPD
Only 50% of the total number of COPD patients are diagnosed
Total UK prevalence is approx. 1.5-2 million
What is the mortality rate of COPD and what is its rank in the UK?
30,000 COPD deaths per year (2015)
15,700 M
14,300 F
6th most common cause of death in the UK
What is the rank of COPD on a worldwide scale?
5th most common cause of death worldwide - over 2.5 million deaths
What will the rank of COPD be in 2030?
3rd
What are the statistic of impact on the NHS?
In 1991 COPD responsible for 0.5% of all acute hospital admissions
In 2000 - 1%
In 2009 - 1.5%
164,000 admissions - 1,300,000 bed days
10% of acute hospital admissions due to COPD
15% of COPD patients admitted each year
86% of care exclusively primary care
On average each COPD patient 6-7 visits to GP each year
How much does each COPD patient cost>
UK economy £1639 pa
NHS £819 pa
In decreasing order what are the main limitations in COPD sufferers lives?
Climbing stairs Gardening Housework Dressing Sleep Disturbance
What are 85% of COPD cases attributed to?
Smoking
What are the main causes of COPD?
Chronic Asthma Passive Smoking Maternal Smoking Air Pollution Occupation
40+ year old patient Smoker/Ex-smoker Breathless on exertion Cough What are potential diagnoses?
COPD Asthma Lung cancer Left ventricular failure Fibrosing alveolitis Bronchiectasis Rarities: TB, recurrent pulmonary emboli
