Chronic COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects over 5% of the adult population, is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide and is the only major cause of mortality that is increasing worldwide. It is an inflammatory disorder of the lungs, caused mainly, but not exclusively, by cigarette smoking. 15-20% of smokers develop COPD. 

The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) has defined COPD as a disease state characterized by airflow limitation that is not fully... 

COPD is a chronic inflammatory disease that results from prolonged and repeated inhalation of particles and gases, chronic (or latent) infection or an interaction of these factors. In many cases, the inflammation persists even when the exposure (in most cases smoking) is stopped. Prominent among the infiltrating leukocytes are neutrophils, CD8+ lymphocytes (Co-receptor for the T-cell receptor. CD8+ is specific for the class IMHC protein. It is expressed on the surface of cytotoxic T-cells and natural killer cells.) and CD68+ monocytic cells (A lysosomal antigen. All cells that rich in... 

Usually, it takes years of toxin exposure to cause the pathological alterations seen in COPD. In most cases, the disease is already well-progressed when COPD is diagnosed. Reversal of established chronic inflammatory disease is always extremely difficult to achieve and at present healing of COPD is impossible. Smoking cessation is the single most effective and cost-effective... 

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Figure 1 Pharmacotherapy of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). 

COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease EAE, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis RSV, respiratory syncytial virus SLE, systemic lupus erythematosus. 

Other disorders of the lower respiratory tract include emphysema (lung disorder in which the terminal bronchioles or alveoli become enlarged and plugged with mucus) and chronic bronchitis (chronic inflammation and possibly infection of die bronchi). Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is die name given collectively to emphysema and chronic bronchitis because die obstruction to die airflow is present most of the time. Asdima diat is persistent and present for most of die time may also be referred to as COPD. 

A broncho dilator is a drug used to relieve bron-chospasm associated with respiratory disorders, such as bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema These conditions are progressive disorders characterized by a decrease in die inspiratory and expiratory capacity of die lung. Collectively, tiiey are often referred to as COPD. The patient with COPD experiences dyspnea (difficulty breatiiing) with physical exertion, has difficulty inhaling and exhaling, and may exhibit a chronic cough. 

The two major types of bronchodilators are the sym-padiomimetics and die xantiiine derivatives. The anticholinergic drug ipratropium bromide (Atrovent) is used for bronchospasm associated witii COPD, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema. Ipratropium is included in die Summary Drug Table Bronchodilators. Chapter 25... 

Con A Concanavalin A COPD Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COS Fibroblast-like kidney cell line established from simian cells CoVF Cobra venom CP Creatine phosphate Cp Caeruloplasmin c.p.m. Counts per minute CPJ Cartilage/pannus junction Cr The chemical symbol fir chromium CR Complement receptor CRl, CR2 CR4 Complement receptor types 1, 2 and 4 CR3-a Complement receptor type 3-[Pg.281]

COPD includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Chronic bronchitis is defined clinically as a chronic productive cough for at least 3 months in each of two consecutive years in a patient in whom other causes have been excluded.1 Emphysema is defined pathologically as the presence of permanent enlargement of the airspaces distal to the terminal bronchioles, accompanied by destruction of their walls without obvious fibrosis.1 The major risk factor for both conditions is cigarette smoking, and many patients share characteristics of each condition. Therefore, new consensus guidelines have moved away from using these subsets and instead focus on chronic airflow limitation. 

Long-term administration of oxygen (greater than 15 hours per day) to patients with chronic respiratory failure has been shown to reduce mortality and improve quality of life.1,2 Oxygen therapy should be initiated in stable patients with very severe COPD (GOLD stage IV) who are optimized on... 

In advanced COPD, caution should be used since overly aggressive administration of oxygen to patients with chronic hypercapnia may result in respiratory depression and respiratory failure. In these patients, mild hypoxemia, rather than carbon dioxide accumulation, triggers their drive to breathe. 

Family history of COPD or other chronic respiratory disease... 

A 65-year-old man with a history of osteoarthritis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) comes to your clinic complaining of burning abdominal pain. The pain has worsened over the past 2 weeks it is worse at night and after meals. 

COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease CVA, cerebrovascular accident. 

COPD Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease EENT Eyes, ears, nose, throat... 

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