COPD Flashcards
What is COPD?
Non-reversible, long term deterioration in air flow through the lungs caused by damage to lung tissue
What are the two forms of COPD?
- Chronic bronchitis
- Emphysema
What does the damage to the lung tissue result in?
An obstruction to the flow of air through the airways making it more difficult to ventilate the lungs and making them prone to developing infections
What is the main cause of COPD?
Smoking
What is the typical presentation of COPD?
- cough: often productive
- dyspnoea
- wheeze
- Long term history of smoking
What are the main investigations for COPD?
Full blood count
BMI
Spirometry
Chest X-ray
What would you look for in a full blood of someone with suspected COPD?
Polycythaemia (too many RBC) or anaemia
What does polycythaemia a response to?
Chronic hypoxia
What might you see on a chest x-ray of someone with COPD?
- hyperinflation
- bullae
- flat hemidiaphragm
- lack of lung markings
- large central pulmonary arteries
What would postbronchodilator spirometry be in someone with COPD?
FEV1:FVC <70%
What is the diagnosis of COPD based on?
Clinical history and spirometry
What is the severity of COPD based of?
FEV1
What is stage 1 COPD?
FEV1 >80% predicted
Mild symptoms of COPD present
What is stage 2 COPD?
FEV1 50-79% predicted
Moderate
What is stage 3 COPD?
FEV1 30-49% predicted
Severe
What is stage 4 COPD?
FEV1 <30% predicted
Very severe
What is the general management of COPD?
smoking cessation advice
annual influenza vaccination
one-off pneumococcal vaccination
pulmonary rehabilitation
What is the first line management of COPD?
Bronchodilator therapy
What are the first line bronchodilators?
- short-acting beta2-agonist (SABA) or
- short-acting muscarinic antagonist (SAMA)-
What are examples of SABA inhalers?
Salbutamol
Terbutaline