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Understanding COPD and Its Types
- COPD is primarily an airway obstruction issue caused by inhaled exposures leading to chronic inflammation and lung tissue destruction.
- It includes subtypes emphysema (pathologic) and chronic bronchitis (clinical), both contributing to airflow limitation in different ways.
Systematic Pulmonary Test Interpretation
- Always verify the accuracy of pulmonary function tests and check the flow-volume loops for obstruction patterns.
- Use the FEV1/FVC ratio below 0.7 to diagnose obstruction, then grade severity by % predicted FEV1, not the predicted ratio.
Assessing COPD Severity Clinically
- Assess COPD severity using symptom burden and exacerbation frequency alongside spirometry.
- Use the modified mMRC score to evaluate breathlessness and count yearly exacerbations requiring steroids or hospitalization.