Clinical Phenotypes of Airway diseases

Question 1

What are the signs and symptoms of COPD

Answer 1

• triggers (dust, pollen, pet dander)
• persistent cough
• shortness of breath
• wheeze on auscultation
• breathlessness

Question 2

Distinguish asthma from emphysema, chronic bronchitis and bronchiectasis

Answer 2

Asthma:

• BM thickens
• infiltration of the submucosa
• mucosal plugging
• smooth muscle hypertrophy
• mucosal infiltration of T cells and eosinophils
• epithelial shedding
• reversible

Emphysema:

• destruction of alveolar wall
• v/q mismatch
• loss of alveolar integrity
• loss of elastic recoil
• hypoxemia and hypercapnia
• irreversible

Chronic Bronchitis:

• seasonal (3 months a year)
• daily sputum
• alveolar hypoxia

Bronchiectasis:

• crackles during auscultation
• daily sputum
• inflamed airways
• mucous plugging