Respiratory Systems Tutorial

Question 1

Compare the affected site in asthma and COPD

Answer 1

• In asthma, large and small airways are affected with hyper responsiveness
• In COPD airways and lung affected
• Both increased mucus production

Question 2

Compare inflammatory cells present in asthma and COPD

Answer 2

• Asthma involves eosinophils, mast cells, Th2 lymphocytes

- COPD involves neutropils, macrophages Tc1 lymphocytes

Question 3

Compare the treatment of asthma and COPD

Answer 3

Treatment of asthma only involves bronchodilators and corticosteriods

Question 4

How high does COPD rank in cause of death and cause of disability?

Answer 4

• 4th cause of death

- 5th cause of disability

Question 5

What percentage of people are affected by asthma?

Answer 5

• 20% children

- 10% adults

Question 6

List the three main characteristics of COPD

Answer 6

• Small airways disease (limitation of airflow due to fibrosis)
• Emphysema (alveolar destruction)
• Chronic bronchitis (mucus hypersecretion)

Question 7

Describe briefly the pathophysiology of COPD

Answer 7

• Smoking triggers macrophage and neutrophil replication. Proteases are produced which break down alveolar attachments. Also contributes to mucous hypersecretion
• T lymphocytes also destroy alveoli
• Fibroblasts increase ECM production and therefore fibrosis occurs

Question 8

What are the two types of emphysema?

Answer 8

• Centric accinar emphysema (caused by cigarette smoke, level of destruction decreases as you move down the lung)
• Pan accinar emphysema (affects the whole lung - alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency)

Question 9

What is a pack year?

Answer 9

Number of packs of cigarettes smoked a day multiplied by the number of years smoked

Question 10

What is bronchoalveolar lavage?

Answer 10

Saline infused into the lungs then removed and analysed for neutrophils and macrophages

Question 11

Why are duel inhibitors useful?

Answer 11

Both components inhibited in the same cell at the same time.

Question 12

What could affect the efficiency of an inhaled drug used for COPD patients?

Answer 12

• Mucus traps the drug so it doesnt reach targets

- Mucus must be broken down so that the drugs can reach the cells

Question 13

Why aren’t pre-existing protease inhibitors effective in COPD patients?

Answer 13

As the number of proteases is so high the effect of the inhibitors is very little.

Question 14

How can COPD be identified in x-ray?

Answer 14

• Barrel chest due to hyperventillation
• White lines of the bronchi (fibrosis)
• Flattened diaphragm