Asthma Flashcards
When are inhaled or systemic used for asthma control?
Inhaled is for chronic control while systemic is for acute or life threatening attacks
Can you step down on Asthma treatment?
Yes, if they have controlled symptoms for a long time
Why does exercise worsen COPD?
Due to the resistance in the airways from mucous, increasing respiratory rate diminishes tidal volume, lowering alveolar ventilation and inspiratory capacity
What childhood illness can predispose Asthma?
RSV, though there are several others
What are the two types of factors that influence Asthma?
Host factors and environmental factors
What is Group D COPD?
High risk with more symptoms
What do Eosinophils release and how does it lead to airway remodeling?
Subendothelial fibrosis (basement membrane thickening), hypertrophy of smooth muscles, and goblet cell hyperplasia
How are acute asthma exacerbations treated?
Albuterol for bronchodilation + systemic glucocorticosteroids like prednisone (NOT INHALED)
What is a Th2 phenotype?
Factors that predispose allergic diseases like asthma, such as widespread use of antibiotics and western lifestyle
Is the pulmonary component of COPD fully treatable?
No, it is not fully reversible and therefore the patient never has normal function
What is Mild Persistent asthma?
Symptoms more than 2 days per week but not daily, but still having normal lung function
What do IL 4 IL 5 and IL 13 activate in Asthma?
Mast Cell and Eosinophils
How does exercise alter breathing?
Respiratory rate goes up while end expiratory volume/FRC goes down
What attracts Neutrophils, and which disease?
IL-8 and LTB4, released by Macrophages in COPD
What triggers a COPD exacerbation?
Infections with a virus or bacteria, which causes an inflammatory response and worsening of the disease
What is the role of Alpha1AntiTrypsin and why does it predispose smoking damage?
A1AT normally inhibits neutrophil elastase, but A1AT deficient people who are exposed to smoke cannot inhibit the elastase leading to damage
How is COPD diagnosed?
FEV1/FVC ratios on spirometry
What is a COPD exacerbation?
A change in the patient’s baseline state
How do bronchodilators help treat COPD, and why is it not enough?
Bronchodilators help fix the increased resistance due to mucous in the large airways, but FEV1/FVC1 can never be fixed because the emphysema in the alveoli are not addressed
Is there a preventative strategy for COPD?
Nope
What cell type is predominant in COPD?
Neutrophils
Where is IgE measured?
IgE is measured in the blood
How does Asthma appear on spirometry?
Concave upward appearance that lines up with obstructive physiology
Is COPD progressive?
Yes, usually progressive and associated with abnormal inflammatory response to noxious particles
What should be done when given an inhaled bronchodilators?
Counsel the patient that they need to increase their activity level
What are the Pi genotypes?
Normal = PiMM Carrier = PiZ* Deficient = PIZZ
What is a Th1 phenotype?
Factors that induce protective immunity, such as presence of older siblings, early exposure to day care, TB
Why is Asthma poorly controlled in the population?
People fail to correctly identify intermittent vs persistent asthma
How is COPD diagnosed?
COPD is diagnosed with a FEV1/FVC ratio < 0.7
What are host factors that effect Asthma development?
Host factors = atopy, airway hyperresponsiveness, gender, and obesity
Environmental factors = indoor/outdoor allergens, occupational sensitizers, dust, pollution/smoke
Is Asthma more common in children or adults?
Childrens
What is the risk domain for Asthma?
The frequency of asthma exacerbations
What is the key effector cell in Asthma?
Eosinophils
What is the main treatment for COPD vs asthma?
Bronchodilators for COPD, Inhaled Corticosteroids for Asthma
How does COPD cause hypoxemia?
V/Q mismatch
When should a bronchodilator be given alone in Asthma?
NEVER
Does COPD thicken the basement membrane?
No, only Asthma does
How does COPD cause destruction of the alveolar spaces?
Loss of elastic fibers in the alveoli lead to loss of elastic recoil
What is peribronchiolar fibrosis?
Small airway changes in COPD, where the terminal bronchioles are fibrotic and less compliant
What are the goals of Asthma management?
Maintain control of symptoms and prevent exacerbations
What does airway remodeling refer to in Asthma?
Changes in the airways due to constant Eosinophil mediated inflammation in the airways, including goblet cell hyperplasia, basement membrane thickening, and smooth muscle hypertrophy
What treatment should be prescribed to someone who has intermittent Asthma symptoms with nocturnal symptoms or exacerbations?
Albuterol is the first line treatment, while ICS can be prescribed if someone has more than two attacks per year or nocturnal symptoms or exacerbations
What is the chemoattractant for Eosinophils?
IL 5
What does the presence of CD8 cells in COPD suggest?
An antigenic process in people that are more susceptible to develop COPD