COPD

Question 1

What is the definition of COPD?

Answer 1

1. Progressive obstructive airway disease

2. Chronic bronchitis and emphysema

Question 2

What is the etiology of COPD?

Answer 2

1. Smoking (90%)

2. Alpha 1 anti trypsin def

Question 3

Difference in emphysema caused by smoking vs A1ATD?

Answer 3

1. smoking - centiacinar

2. A1ATD - pan acinar with lower lobe dominance

Question 4

What is the definition of chronic bronchitis?

Answer 4

1. Inflammation of bronchi

2. chronic cough for 3 or more months in two consecutive years

Question 5

What is the pathophysiology of Chronic bronchitis?

Answer 5

Chronic inflammation leads to;

1. Goblet cell hyperplasia
   - -> Mucus hyper secretion
2. Fibrosis

~ narrowing of the airways

Question 6

What is the definition of emphysema?

Answer 6

Permenant enlargement of airspaces distal to the terminal bronchiole

Question 7

What is the pathophysiology of emphysema?

Answer 7

Inflammation results in production of proteases by inflammatory cells

proteases destroy elastin causing

1. Alveolar collapse
2. Dilation and bullae formation

~ efficiency of gas exchange is reduced

Question 8

What are ‘blue bloaters’ in chronic bronchitis?

Answer 8

1. Reduced alveolar ventilation
2. reduced O2 and increased CO2
3. Cyanosed but not breathless

Question 9

What are ‘pink puffers’ in empheysema

Answer 9

1. Increased alveolar ventilation
2. normal Pa O2 and reduced/normal CO2
3. Breathless but not cyanosed