Asthma Vs COPD

Question 1

Asthma V COPD: Age of Onset

Answer 1

Asthma: Early childhood, but may have inset at any age.
COPD: > 40 yrs

Question 2

Asthma V COPD: Smoking History

Answer 2

Asthma: Non, Ex, Current Smoker
COPD: > 10 Pack Years

Question 3

Asthma V COPD: Atopy

Answer 3

Asthma: Often
COPD: Rare

Question 4

Asthma V COPD: Family History

Answer 4

Asthma: Asthma or other atopic disorders common
COPD: Rare

Question 5

Asthma V COPD: Clinical Symptoms

Answer 5

Asthma: Intermittent & Variable
COPD: Persistent & gradually progressive worsening

Question 6

Asthma V COPD: Cough

Answer 6

Asthma: Nocturnal, Exertional
COPD: Morning + Sputum

Question 7

Asthma V COPD: Sputum

Answer 7

Asthma: Rare
COPD: Often

Question 8

Asthma V COPD: Reversibility of Airflow Obstruction

Answer 8

Asthma: Reversible
COPD: May improve, but never normalises

Question 9

Asthma V COPD: Exacerbations

Answer 9

Asthma: common at all levels of severity except in mild disease
COPD: increase in frequency with increase severity of disease.

Question 10

To prove it is COPD & not Asthma:

Answer 10

Minimal (almost none) bronchodilator reversibility:
Baseline, 15 min post nebuliser + 2.5mg-5mg Salbutamol.
Minimal (almost none) response to Oral Corticosteroids:
30mg-40mg Prednisilone for two weeks. Then measure Baseline FEV1.