World COPD Day

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At a glance:

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases – COPD

Chronic progressive lung diseases - asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, COVID-19

3.2M deaths - third largest global cause of death

30% projected growth over the next 10 years

Causes - smoking, pollution and lung infections

Prevention – no smoking, limit exposure to pollution and lung infections

Symptoms - short of breath, exercise limitation, coughing and wheezing

Diagnosis - lung function testing including spirometry

Treatment - exercise, bronchodilators, steroids, and supplemental oxygen

Monitoring - home telemetric spirometry

COPD was responsible for 3.2M deaths in 2019, with nearly 500,000 deaths due to asthma alone. COPD is projected to be the world’s third highest cause of death in 2020 and is projected to increase by more than 30% over the next 10 years. COPD includes a number of progressive diseases that limit the lungs exhaling air from the lungs leaving more residual air in the lungs and less oxygen being delivered to the cells. Smoking, infections and atmospheric pollution are the most common causes of these diseases The symptoms of COPD include shortness of breath and exercise limitation, coughing and wheezing. These diseases include emphysema, chronic bronchitis, asthma and bronchiectasis, and now COVID-19. These diseases are diagnosed by lung function testing including spirometry.

COVID-19:

Up to 20% of COVID patients requiring oxygen during their acute management have restrictive physiology remaining at 3 months after infection as measured by spirometry. This is proposed to represent residual pulmonary fibrosis from the primary pulmonary infection. The longer course of this disease and its effects on lung function remain unknown, however, home monitoring with high fidelity telemetric spirometry is recommended for following the natural history of the lung function of these patients, and particularly to guide the effectiveness of their therapy.

Treatment and Monitoring:

Treatment includes exercise, bronchodilators, steroids and supplemental oxygen.

The Uscom SpiroSonic AIR wireless ultrasonic spirometer with the MyAIR app and the SpiroReporter software for archiving, analysis and reporting provide state of science telemetric home care monitoring with direct connection to expert clinical care. Spirometers plot velocity, pressure and flow of the breath as its inhaled and exhaled. The precise measurement of these functions indicates the health of the lungs and any treatment required.

Conclusion:

COPD is a serious and manageable disease if lung function is monitored daily and appropriate therapy prescribed. Home monitoring of lung function in patients with lung disease is critical for precise management and optimal care. Cessation of smoking, improving air quality, and exercise limits incidence and progress of COPD.

References:

https://www.who.int/respiratory/copd/burden

McNee W. Pathology, pathogenesis, and pathophysiology. BMJ 2006; 332 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.332.7551.1202

Arnold DT, Hamilton FW, Milne A, et al. Patient outcomes after hospitalisation with COVID-19 and implications for follow-up; results from a prospective UK cohort. medRxiv preprint doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.08.12.20173526

https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/jamp.2019.1576