COPD Flashcards
what is copd?
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a common, preventable and treatable disease that is characterized by persistent respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation that is due to airway and/or alveolar abnormalities usually caused by significant exposure to noxious particles or gases.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a lung disease characterized by chronic obstruction of lung airflow that interferes with normal breathing and is not fully reversible.
prevelanve vs incidence?
prevalence- number of cases in a population at one point in time
incidence- new number of cases diagnosed in a time frame
what is the prevlanced of copd i the uk
1.2 million, 2% of population
prevlance increasinf, incidence decreasing
modifible causes of copd
smoking
other pollutants
occupational exposure
non/less modifiable risk factors of copd?
being female
increase in age
low socioeconomic status
asthma
chronic bronchitis
childhood infection
what is alpha-2 antitrypsin deficency?
a rare inherited disease which causes early onset of copd (under 45yr)
aat- aprotease inhibitor made in the liver which limits damage caused by activated neutrophils releasing elactase in response to infection/tobacco
symptoms of alpa-1 antitrypsin deficiency
young person with features of copd
basal premodnice to their emphysema
liver fibrosis or cirrhosis
how does smoking affect FEV
on a fletcher-peto curve we can see how smoking acellerates rate of lung function loss.
common syptoms of copd and less common syptoms?
Common:
Cough
Breathlessness
Sputum
Frequent chest infections
Wheezing
Other symptoms:
Weight loss
Fatigue
Swollen ankles
examination findings of copd?
Cyanosis- blue discoloration around mouth and peripherals
Pursed lip breathing
Raised JVP
Hyperinflated chest
Cachexia- severe weight/muscle loss
Use of accessory muscles
Wheeze- expiatory whistle noise
Peripheral oedema
what is the mMRC Dysponea scale
way to quantify breathlessness
scale runs 0-4
diagnostic tests for copd
no single test but:
symtoms
history
spirometry
chest x-ray- screens for malignancy and excludes other pathology. can also see any hyperinflation
criteria for copd diagnosis
typical symptoms
over 35yrs old
presence of risk factor (smoking?occupational exposure)
absence of asthma features
airflow obstruction confirmed by post-bronchodilator spirometry
copd vs asthma
COPD Asthma
ex/smoker- yes maybe
symptoms under 35- rare often
chronic cough common uncommon
breathlessness persistent/progressive varible
night time uncommon common
breathlessness/wheeze-
day to day variability- uncommon common
of symptoms
what tests can you doto distiguish copd and asthma?
pulmonary function tests
radiology of lungs
