Asthma / COPD Flashcards
COPD - when to suspect and how to diagnose
Consider COPD in patients >35yo if:
1) Sx - SOB, cough +/- sputum
2) current or ex-smoker
Dx via SPIROMETRY; persistent / post-broncodilator FEV1/FVC ratio <0.7
FEV1 %predicted indicates severity
COPD - Sx and spirometry for mild / moderate / severe
Mild: FEV1%pred 60-80
- SOB on moderate exertion
- no-minimal impact on ADLs
- cough + sputum
Moderate: FEV1%pred 40-59
- SOB on walking
- impact on ADLs
- recurrent chest infections +/- exacerbations requiring steroids or Abx
Severe: FEV1%pred <40
- SOB on any exertion
- severe impact on ADLs
- increasing frequency and severity of exacerbations
Name 8 broad management areas for COPD
- pharmacotherapy
- pulmonary rehabilitation
- COPD action plan
- encourage self-management
- manage comorbidities
- optimise nutrition
- smoking cessation
- vaccination
Name 4 non-pharmacological management steps for COPD
- Monitor impact and functional status using COPD assessment test every 2-3 months
- Encourage regular physical activity - walking for >150mins / week (>30 mins / day x5 days)
- Smoking cessation
- Refer for pulmonary rehabilitation
5As for smoking cessation
- Ask and identify smokers at every visit
- Assess nicotine dependence and motivation to quit
- Advise about the risks of smoking and benefits of quitting
- Assist cessation by offering behavioural counselling (inc. Quitline referral) and pharmacotherapy
- Arrange follow-up within a week of the quit date and one month after
Outline the step-wise pharmacological management of COPD
- PRN SABA or SAMA
- add LAMA or LABA
- switch to LAMA + LABA combination
- add ICS
Name the drug options for COPD:
- SABA
- SAMA
- LAMA
- LABA
- ICS
SABA = short acting beta2-agonist
- salbutamOL or terbutaline
SAMA = short-acting muscarinic antagonists
- ipratropIUM
LAMA = long-acting muscarinic antagonists
- tiotropIUM, glycopyrronIUM, umeclidinIUM or aclidinIUM
LABA = long-acting beta2-agonists
- indacaTEROL, salmeTEROL or formoTEROL
ICS = inhaled corticosteroids
- fluticasONE or budesonIDE
Name at least one brand from each class of COPD inhaler
SABA = Ventolin/Asmol (salbutamOL), Bricanyl (terbutaline)
SAMA = Atrovent (ipratropIUM)
LAMA = Spiriva (tiotropIUM), Incruse (umeclidinIUM), Seebri (glycopyrronIUM)
LABA = Onbrez (indacaTEROL)
LABA/LAMA = Spiolto (tiotropIUM/olodaTEROL), Ultibro (indacaTEROL/glycopyrronIUM)
ICS/LABA = Seretide (fluticasONE/salmeTEROL), Symbicort (budesonIDE/formoTEROL), Breo (fluticasONE/vilanTEROL)
ICS/LAMA/LABA = Trelegy (fluticasONE/umeclidinIUM/vilanTEROL), Trimbow (beclometasONE/formoTEROL/glycopyrronIUM)
Outline an approach to COPD action plan for managing exacerbations
Treat any increase in baseline Sx early
1. Increase short-acting bronchodilator - eg. 4-8 puffs salbutamol every 3-4 hours
2. If Sx not improved, commence oral prednisolone 30-50mg daily for 5 days
3. If fever or change in colour/volume of sputum, add Abx (amoxicillin 500mg TDS vs. 1g BD or doxycyline 100mg daily) for 5 days
Outline the 4 steps to interpreting spirometry
- Shape of curve
- Unable to blow out quickly -> concave curve = obstruction
- Small volume curve = restrictive
- Both of above = mixed, eg. CF - FEV1/FVC ratio (>0.7 normal, <0.7 OBSTRUCTION)
- FEV1 + FVC (>80%pred normal, FVC <80%pred RESTRICTION)
- Change post-bronchodilator (FEV1 >+12% REVERSIBLE airways obstruction)
Asthma Ax - questions on history
- current Sx
- pattern of symptoms (day/night, seasonal)
- triggers (exercise, viral infections, ingested substances, allergens)
- relieving factors (SABA, other meds)
- impact on work and lifestyle
- home and work environment
- smoking history (inc. passive)
- PHx allergies inc. atopic dermatitis (eczema) or allergic rhinitis (‘hay fever’)
- FHx asthma and allergies
Asthma - DDx
poor cardiopulmonary fitness
resp - bronchiectasis, COPD, hyperventilation, inhaled foreign body, large airway stenosis, pleural effusion, pulmonary fibrosis, rhinitis/rhinosinusitis, upper airway dysfunction
CVD - CCF, pulmonary hypertension
comorbid conditions - obesity, gastro-oesophageal reflux
lung Ca
rare disorders - alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
Asthma - when to suspect and how to diagnose
2+ of: wheeze, SOB, chest tightness, cough
Sx are recurrent or seasonal, worse at night, associated w common triggers, rapidly relieved by SABA
Esp if PHx atopy, FHx asthma + atopy
Dx via spirometry; expiratory airflow limitation (FEV1/FVC LLN) + reversible (FEV1 ≥+12%)
If high clinical suspicion and normal spirometry, consider treatment trial for Dx
What are the 5 Qs on the asthma score test?
In the last 4 weeks …
1. Impact on ADLs
2. Frequency of SOB
3. Frequency of night/morning Sx
4. Frequency of reliever use
5. Subjective rating of asthma control
What aspects are needed for GOOD asthma control?
- Daytime Sx 2 or fewer days per week
- SABA use 2 or fewer days per week
- No limitation of activities
- No Sx at night or on waking
Partial control if 1-2 and Poor control if 3+ not met