Week 2 - Obstructive Airway Diseases

Question 1

What tests can be used to detect an obstructive airway disease?

Answer 1

Spirometry, FEV1/FVC, PEFR (peak expiratory flow rate)

Question 2

What is bronchial asthma caused by?

Answer 2

Type 1 IgE hypersensitivity in the airways, causing constriction, mucus and inflammation

Question 3

What can cause COPD? (3)

Answer 3

Emphysema and Chronic bronchitis can be caused by:
Smoking, pollution or dust (occupational)

Question 4

In which individuals is COPD most prominent?

Answer 4

With age, males and in developing countries

Question 5

What is the morphology of COPD?

Answer 5

Mucous gland and goblet cell hyperplasia in airways. Inflammation and fibrosis in airways

Question 6

What are 3 forms of emphysema?

Answer 6

Centriacinar, Panacinar and Periacinar

Centriacinar is bronchioles dilating then alveoli tissue damage

Panacinar is alveoli tissue damage but unaffected bronchi

Periacinar is just outer articulating surface of alveoli enlarged

Question 7

What is bullous emphysema?

Answer 7

Air can enter alveoli, but in exhalation bronchi constricts and pressure builds up in alveoli, causing dilation and rupture

Question 8

How does smoking cause emphysema?

Answer 8

Causes protease-anti-protease imbalance (elastase-anti-elastase) so destroys elastin framework in alveoli.

Question 9

How can age lead to emphysema?

Answer 9

Deficiency in alpha-1-antitrypsin causes same elastin imbalance

Prevents breakdown of elastase so elastase exists to break down elastin in alveoli

Question 10

What is chronic hypoxic cor pulmonae?

Answer 10

Failure of right side of the heart due to a disease effecting the lung’s structure or function