Head – Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease | T&F

COPD is the leading cause of respiratory death in Ireland.

An FEV/FVC ratio of approximately 80 per cent indicates a normal value.

Five-year survival in male COPD patients with mild disease is better than 90 per cent.

In line with other chronic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and interstitial lung disease, the inflammatory response in COPD seems to slow down as the disease progresses.

In tests to isolate a diagnosis of COPD, a CT scan can give a more definitive diagnosis of different lung diseases than a chest x-ray.

For patients with stable COPD, ipratropium bromide would be a preferred choice of anticholinergic LABA, as it offers wider benefits than tiotropium.

Smoking is the cause of 90 per cent of COPD cases.

Following diagnosis, theophylline should be used as a first response in managing COPD.

Azithromycin is safe to use for up to three years as a long-term maintenance antibiotic.

Worldwide, COPD causes more deaths than lung cancer, heart disease and stroke.