COPD

SUMMARY

1. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterised by persistent respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation which is progressive.

2. Features: dyspnea, cough, and sputum production with evidence of irreversible airflow obstruction (FEV/FVC < 0.70).

3. COPD results from chronic exposure to an inflammatory stimulus; e.g. cigarette smoke, pollution, dust.

4. Symptoms of exacerbations: increased dyspnoea & sputum production.

Reference(s)

Wilkinson, I., Furmedge, D. and Sinharay, R. (2017). Oxford handbook of clinical medicine. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Get it on Amazon.
Feather, A., Randall, D. and Waterhouse, M. (2020). Kumar And Clark’s Clinical Medicine. 10th ed. S.L.: Elsevier Health Sciences. Get it on Amazon.
Hannaman, R. A., Bullock, L., Hatchell, C. A., & Yoffe, M. (2016). Internal medicine review core curriculum, 2017-2018. CO Springs, CO: MedStudy.
Therapeutic Guidelines. Melbourne: Therapeutic Guidelines Limited. https://www.tg.org.au [Accessed 2021].