CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE

1. CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE By Dr Aguilera

2. Definition • In 2001, the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) report was developed to define COPD by an expert panel which includes the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute and the World Health Organization. • COPD is “A disease state characterized by airflow limitation that is not fully reversible; it is usually both progressive and associated with an abnormal inflammatory response of the lungs to noxious particles or gases.”

3. Definition Cont’d • Previous Guidelines and Definitions included Chronic bronchitis and emphysema, but these are not included in the current definition. • The GOLD report’s definition of COPD regards chronic bronchitis, emphysema and asthma as different aspects of the disease that are not mutually exclusive.

4. Definition Cont’d • Chronic Bronchitis • Defined by the presence of chronic productive cough for three months in each of two successive years in a patient in whom other causes of cough are excluded • Emphysema • Is a pathological term describing the abnormal permanent enlargement of airspaces distal to the terminal bronchioles, accompanied by destruction of their walls without obvious fibrosis. • Asthma • Chronic inflammatory disease of the airways with bronchial hyper-responsiveness, reversible airway obstruction, and respiratory symptoms. (See previous lecture)

5. Pathophysiology • Bronchial inflammation • Caused by inflammatory cells (macrophages, neutrophils and CD8 cytotoxic T cells) in a response to noxious stimuli • release of enzymes (proteases) • these cause destruction of connective tissue in the airways and alveolar walls. • Also stimulate mucus production by goblet cells • Different than what we see in Asthma (CD4 and eosinophils) • Ciliary damage occurs directly by noxious stimuli (tobacco, occupational dusts and chemicals, and air pollution)

6. Pathophysiology Cont’d • Variability of Response to Noxious Stimuli • Genetics • imbalance of antiproteases • May explain why only approximately 15% of smokers develop COPD • Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency • As a result, air trapping, collapse of alveoli and inability to clear debris from the airways occur, which manifest clinically as the COPD syndrome.

7. Disease Interrelationships Chronic bronchitis Emphysema 1 2 5 4 3 COPD 8 7 6 10 9 Airflow Obstruction Asthma

8. Epidemiology • Approx 16 million people in U.S. have COPD • 5th leading cause of death • 4th in people > 45 yrs • Most deaths occur in people > 65 years • In 2000: ED visits = 1.5 million • Hospitalizations = 726,000 • Deaths = 119,000 • Health care costs approx 15 billion/year • Tobacco smoking accounts for 80-90% of cases • Only 15% of smokers develop COPD • Women are affected more than men with same tobacco exposure • Alpha-1-antitrypsin accounts for <.1% of cases • Homozygous (.02%) < Heterozygous (2-3%) - whites • When to test for serum levels? In pts with COPD at young age, particularly in those with (+) FHx and no exposure to tobacco • Replace with alpha-1-proteinase inhibitor (Prolastin)

9. Diagnosis • History • Patients with COPD usually have been smoking at least 20 pack years before symptoms develop. • Cough usually is the first symptom. This is followed by sputum production and then shortness of breath which worsen over time and may get worse with exacerbations. • Wheezing may be present • Exposure to risk factors: tobacco, occupational dusts and chemicals, air pollution

10. Diagnosis Cont’d • Physical Examination • Usually normal early in the course of the disease • Findings are variable as the disease progresses • Chest Signs • Prolonged expiration with/out wheeze; decreased breath sounds; Crackles especially with exacerbations; Increased anteroposterior diameter due to hyperinflation • Distant heart sounds • Extrathoracic Signs • Leaning forward to relieve dyspnea; weight loss, cyanosis • Manifestations of Cor Pulmonale • Poor Px

11. Diagnosis cont’d • Pulmonary Function Test (PFT)/Spirometry • Gold standard for diagnosis COPD • FEV1/FVC ratio of < 70% defines the presence of obstructive disease. • Cannot determine difference between COPD, chronic bronchitis or emphysema • FEV1 is used to determine severity of disease • Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) is used to monitor response to therapy • Lung function should be measured with bronchodilator evaluation. The absence of a significant response (>15% increase in FEV1) on one test should not be the reason to hold bronchodilator therapy. • If improvement >20% and FEV1 becomes normal = Asthma • If FEV1 increases but is still below normal = Mixed Asthma/COPD

12. Diagnosis Cont’d • Chest X-Ray (CXR) • Radiological changes don’t usually occur until COPD is advanced (overdistention, bullae formation • Done to identify co-existing conditions • Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) • Used in most cases to determine if a patient requires oxygen maintenance based on level of hypoxia • Usually done when FEV1 < 40%, and in those with signs of respiratory failure (PO2<60 or PCO2>45) or right heart failure • Can also give information regarding CO2 levels • Complete Blood Count (CBC) • Can identify erythrocytosis/polycythemia as a result of chronic hypoxemia and should be done in patients being considered for O2 supplementation

13. Classification of COPD(Remember FEV1/FVC is used in the Dx COPD!)

14. Overall Treatment of COPD • 1st Step is to establish a diagnosis • Spirometry in patients with Sx or RF • CXR to exclude other conditions • 2nd Step is to Classify the stage of disease • Used to guide therapy • For example, Stage II requires smoking cessation, an ABG, pharmacotx and consultation with a pulmonologist • 3rd Step is to educate your patients • This is the key component • Main goals of treatment are to improve quality of life and decrease mortality • Only 2 interventions decrease mortality: smoking cessation and long term O2 supplementation

15. Overall Treatment Cont’d • 4th Step is to begin Pharmacotherapy • Inhaled Bronchodilators • Improve symptoms and decrease airflow limitation • Albuterol 2 puffs Q6hrs/PRN • Ipratropium • Usually first line therapy • Start with 2 puffs QID and may increase to 6 puffs TID • Common problems • Inadequate education regarding meds and technique • Suboptimal dosing • Inadequate monitoring of response to treatment • The use of long acting beta agonists (Salmeterol and Formoterol) in COPD is still in evolution.

16. Overall Treatment Cont’d • Inhaled Steroids • Do not affect the decline in FEV1, thus the severity • In mod-severe disease these meds showed a significant decrease in the frequency of symptoms and exacerbations • Theophylline • GOLD report recommends against its use due to availability of other drugs, high Sfx profile and drug interactions. • Does work for some patients • Keep levels between 8-12 mcg/ml • Monitor regularly • Be aware of drug interactions

17. Overall Treatment Cont’d • Oral Steroids • Long term use is not recommended • A beneficial response to a short course of an oral steroid does not predict benefit from the chronic use of oral steroids. • Long term disease effects are unknown. • Studies failed to show a difference in the # of exacerbations, symptoms or spirometry results when continuation vs withdrawal of prednisone was compared • If considering long term oral steroids for a patient with severe disease, then use smallest dose possible. Usually done in conjunction with pulmonologist.

18. Overall Treatment Cont’d • 5th step is to prevent and treat complications • Chronic Hypoxia • Consequences include dyspnea, impaired cognition, ischemic CM, ploycythemia/ erythrocytosis with hyperviscosity syndromes, and pulmonary HTN • Supplemental O2 can improve symptoms and prevent some of these complications. In fact, life expectancy increases. • ABG evaluation at appropriate times • MediCare guidelines • PaO2 < 55mmHg; POx < 88% for any patient • PaO2 55-59mmHg; POx = 89% for those with chronic hypoxic complications as listed above

19. Overall Treatment Cont’d • Immunizations • Annual influenza shots • Polyvalent pneumococcal vaccine at time of diagnosis and again in 5 years or at age 65, whichever comes later. • Consultation with a specialist • Pulmonologist • Stage IIB and III • Surgeon • When considering lung volume reduction surgery or transplantation

20. THE END