HNN329 Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)_default

Overview of COPD

• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD):

  • A chronic inflammatory disease that leads to obstructive airflow from the lungs.

  • Symptoms include:

    • Breathing difficulties

    • Chronic cough

    • Increased mucus production

    • Increased wheezing

  • Typically results from long-term exposure to irritating gases or particulate matter, most often from cigarette smoke.

  • Increased risk of developing:

    • Heart disease

    • Lung cancer

    • Other various conditions.

Underlying Conditions

• Emphysema:

  • Characterized by the progressive destruction of alveoli.

  • Decreases the area available for gas exchange in the lungs, leading to:

    • Progressive shortness of breath

    • Decreased exercise tolerance.

• Chronic Bronchitis:

  • Refers to chronic inflammation of the bronchial tubes' lining.

  • Symptoms include:

    • Daily cough

    • Daily mucus production.

  • Increased risk of:

    • Lower respiratory tract infections

    • Pneumonia.

  • Higher likelihood of requiring frequent hospitalizations for managing exacerbations.

Risk Factors and Exposures

• Onset of COPD:

  • Gradual development over time, often due to a combination of risk factors.

  • Common exposures that contribute to COPD include:

    • Tobacco smoke exposure

    • Occupational exposures

    • Indoor air pollution

    • Early life factors such as:

      • Poor growth in utero

      • Prematurity

      • Undertreated childhood asthma.

  • Alpha-one antitrypsin disorder: Rare genetic condition that leads to early onset and rapid progression of COPD.

Prevalence of COPD

• Global Statistics:

  • In 2019, COPD was the third leading cause of death worldwide.

  • Almost 90% of COPD deaths in individuals aged 70 and above occur in low and middle-income countries.

• COPD in Australia:

  • Affects both men and women.

  • Approximately 1 in 13 Australians aged 40 and over have some form of COPD.

  • About half of these individuals are unaware they have the condition.

  • Higher prevalence in Indigenous Australians, who are 2.5 times more likely to have COPD than non-Indigenous Australians.

Managing COPD

• To improve patient outcomes, the following are essential:

  • Early diagnosis and treatment

  • Risk factor reduction

  • Ongoing support to slow disease progression and reduce exacerbation risks.