Asthma & COPD Flashcards
What is the annual cost of respiratory illness in the UK as of 2019?
£9.6 billion/year
This includes costs associated with bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
What are the two main conditions that comprise Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)?
- Chronic bronchitis
- Emphysema
What is a key characteristic of COPD?
Predominantly inflammatory with narrowing of airways
What are common symptoms of COPD?
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Productive cough
- Lung infections
- Pulmonary hypertension in later stages
How many people in the UK are estimated to be living with COPD?
1.2 million
What percentage of COPD deaths in the UK are linked to smoking?
86%
What is the annual cost of COPD treatment in the UK?
Approximately £2 billion
What is the definition of asthma?
A chronic condition characterized by narrowing of airways that occurs in attacks
How many people in the UK have asthma?
5.4 million
What percentage of people with asthma are adults?
80%
What are common symptoms of asthma?
- Severe shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Coughing
- Cyanosis
What is the FEV1/FVC ratio that is considered normal?
> 70%
Name a specific trigger for asthma.
- Dust mite excreta
- Pollens
- Exercise or emotion
- Cold air
- Respiratory tract infections
- Fungal spores
- Workplace allergens or irritants
- Drugs (especially aspirin)
- Environmental pollutants
What is status asthmaticus?
A severe asthma attack that does not respond to standard treatment
What role do mast cells play in asthma?
They release preformed early mediators like histamine and proteases
What are the phases of an asthma attack?
- Early phase (bronchoconstriction)
- Late phase (inflammation)
What is the primary effect of leukotrienes in asthma?
Sustained bronchoconstriction and increased mucus secretion
What is the purpose of bronchodilators in asthma treatment?
To relax airway smooth muscle
What are the two types of beta adrenoceptor agonists used in asthma treatment?
- Short-acting beta agonists (SABA)
- Long-acting beta agonists (LABA)
What type of medication is ICS?
Inhaled corticosteroid
What is MART in asthma management?
Maintenance And Reliever Therapy, a combination inhaler with corticosteroid plus LABA
What is the mechanism of action of glucocorticoids in asthma?
Decreased activation, proliferation, and migration of immune system cells
What is the role of tiotropium in asthma treatment?
A long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) that blocks bronchoconstriction caused by acetylcholine
What is a common side effect of leukotriene receptor antagonists?
GI tract problems and headaches
