COPD Flashcards
What does COPD stand for
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
What is COPD
Mixed airway reversible obstruction and destructive lung disease
What are the components of COPD
Asthma component - reversible
Bronchiectasis and emphysema component - non-reversible
What effect does COPD have on ventilation and gas exchange
Damage to the large and smaller airways and damage to the alveoli so there is less ability to ventilate and have gas exchange
What is bronchiectasis
Damage to the airway wall, dilation of the airway and increased mucous production
Describe the aetiology of bronchiectasis
Increasing amount of mucous is produced by a disease process
This acts again in the same places causing changes in the airway wall causing scarred and thickened changes to the wall and damage to the muscle layers on the outside
What is the effect of bronchiectasis
The airways become less reactive and responsive and it is difficult to clear mucous from the now widened airway
What is bronchiectasis characterised by
A productive cough often with sputum which is green
What is emphysema
Destruction of the alveolar sacs which will coalesce into larger spaces
Describe a chest x-ray showing emphysema
Lack of black colour
Less air
More inflammatory change peripherally in lungs and therefore more whitening
Increase in cardiac size due to increased workload
What are the symptoms of COPD
Cough Increased mucous production Fatigue Shortness of breath Dyspnoea Chest discomfort
What causes COPD (7)
Asthma Smoking Pollution Age Chemical exposure AAT deficiency Chronic bronchitis
What are the complications of COPD (5)
Heart failure Pneumonia Depression Frailty Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
What percentage of patients in the US have smoking linked as a cause for COPD
90%
How many people in the world have COPD
65M
Which type of COPD is more common, chronic bronchitis or emphysema
Chronic bronchitis
How are patients with COPD classified
According to their risk of having exacerbation and death
Describe the meaning of each letter in COPD classification
A - less symptoms, low risk
B - More symptoms, low risk
C - Less symptoms, high risk
D - More symptoms, high risk
Describe the numbers used in COPD classification
0 or 1 - Exacerbations not leading to hospitalisation
>2 - Exacerbations leading to hospitalisation
>or=1 - Exacerbations leading to hospitalisation
How is COPD managed (6)
Smoking cessation Long acting bronchodilator Inhaled steroids if FEV<50% Systemic steroids Oxygen support Pulmonary rehabilitation therapy
Why can’t COPD be assessed in a similar way to asthma
Asthma is assessed based on severity
COPD is very specific to each patient
What are the different types of COPD Exacerbations and how common are they
Non-infectious - 20%
Infectious - 80%
What causes non-infectious COPD Exacerbations
Environmental factors
Non-compliance with medication
What causes infectious COPD Exacerbations and how common are each types
Bacterial pathogens - 40-50%
Viral infection - 30-40%
Atypical bacteria - 5-10%
