Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) are the two most common obstructive airway diseases affecting patients' quality of life. It is therefore essential for all heath care professionals to fully appreciate and understand both the similarities and differences between these diseases, which today, are the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in the United States.
The focus of this month's CE article is on the pharmacology and clinical characteristics of the therapeutic agents commonly used to treat asthma and COPD. Special attention is given to the rationale for using a "Polypharmaceutical" approach in the management of these obstructive airway conditions. Principles related to the individualization of a stepped-care approach, general diagnostic characteristics, pathophysiology, non-pharmacological options and selected differences between asthma and COPD are also discussed in detail.
Although there may be some overlap in diagnosing the complex physiological characteristics of these two conditions, according to expert presenter John Kriak, PharmD., Director of Medical Education Conference Archives Inc., below are 8 general characteristics associated with one of these two diseases. As pharmacists, we should be able to easily identify which diagnostic characteristics apply to each disease. To test your knowledge of Asthma and COPD, try placing an "A" or "C" next to each of the following diagnostic signs and/or symptoms and see how your answers agree with those provided at the end of this article.
- Episodic airflow obstruction: dyspnea, cough, and chest pain
- Symptoms frequently worse in PM or early AM
- Sputum production, chronic bronchitis and coughing
- Symptoms slowly progressive
- Rhonchi, decreased intensity of breath sounds and prolonged expiration
- Airflow obstruction on PFT that is not fully reversible
- Complete or partial reversibility of airflow restriction spontaneously or post bronchodilation
- Diffuse wheezing
Please visit us at RxSchool.com to view this course and many more up-to-date, valuable CE lessons designed to enhance you professional understanding and personal development.
RxSchool is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as a provider of continuing pharmacy education.
This home study web activity has been assigned a maximum of 1.0 contact hours (0.1 CEU's) and the ACPE UPN: 372-000-08-009-LO1P
This program is sponsored by RxSchool.
Contributed by:
Peter J. Rubino, M.S. Pharm., M.S., Ed.
Director, Continuing Professional Education
RxSchool.com
Answers to diagnostic signs and symptoms:
1.A, 2.A, 3.C, 4.C, 5.C, 6.C, 7.A, 8.A
