COPD Health Education

COPD Overview

Patient Portrayals

What is COPD?What is COPD?

• COPD: Short for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease1a

• General term used to describe lung diseases including:• Emphysema1a

• Chronic bronchitis1a

• Refractory (irreversible) asthma1a

• There is no cure for COPD, but there are treatments available to manage its symptoms1b

COPD Facts and FiguresCOPD Facts and Figures

• An estimated 210 million people have COPD worldwide1a

• In the U.S. alone:– More than 12 million adults have COPD2a

– Another 12 million likely have it, but don’t know it2a

– 4th leading cause of death1b and 2nd leading cause of disability3

– Kills one person every four minutes2a

– Kills twice as many African American men than African American women4

– Cost the healthcare system more than $49 billion5

– African Americans have more emergency room visits and similar disease severity when compared to Whites who have smoked cigarettes over a longer period of time and are heavier smokers6

Who is At Risk for COPD?Who is At Risk for COPD?

• Smokers (cigarettes, pipes, cigars) and people exposed to secondhand smoke1a, 1b

• People exposed to pollutants that irritate and damage lungs.1c Pollutants include: chemical fumes, smoke from a wood- or coal-burning stove, dust,1d asbestos, mildew, and mold1e

• Genetic factors (Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency)1d

• People at least 40 years old2a – 7 out of 10 people with COPD are younger than 653

– Most are at least 40 years old when symptoms start2a

• Women – More than twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with chronic

bronchitis4

What are the Signs & Symptoms What are the Signs & Symptoms of COPD?of COPD?

• Symptoms may include:– Shortness of breath1a

– Constant coughing (with or without mucus or phlegm)1a

– Wheezing1a

– Tightness in the chest2a, 3a

– Constant clearing of the throat2a

– Not being able to take a deep breath3a

• Symptoms are often wrongly attributed to: – Old age2a

– Being out of shape– Asthma3b

• Some mistakenly think symptoms will decrease or stop altogether once they quit smoking

• COPD symptoms are chronic (occur all the time/frequently)1b

Patient Portrayal

How is COPD Diagnosed?How is COPD Diagnosed?

• COPD is often diagnosed using a lung test known as spirometry1a

• Spirometry measures the health and how well your lungs are working1a

– Relatively simple and easy test to take1b – Diagnoses COPD before symptoms even start showing2

– Shows severity, or stage, of COPD1c

What are the Stages of COPD?What are the Stages of COPD?

Stage I – Mild1

• Airways have narrowed slightly1

• You may have a cough that won’t go away, with or without mucus or phlegm1

Stage I – Mild1

• Airways have narrowed slightly1

• You may have a cough that won’t go away, with or without mucus or phlegm1

Stage II – Moderate1

• Airways have become narrower1

• May be easily winded, especially during brisk activity (e.g., exercising, climbing stairs)1

Stage II – Moderate1

• Airways have become narrower1

• May be easily winded, especially during brisk activity (e.g., exercising, climbing stairs)1

Stage III – Severe1

• Airflow in and out of lungs is limited1

• May run out of breath doing the simplest activities1

• Quality of life may be affected1

Stage III – Severe1

• Airflow in and out of lungs is limited1

• May run out of breath doing the simplest activities1

• Quality of life may be affected1

Stage IV – Very Severe1

• Airflow is severely limited (obstructed)1

• At risk for other serious problems (e.g., lung or heart failure)1

• Quality of life may be diminished1

Stage IV – Very Severe1

• Airflow is severely limited (obstructed)1

• At risk for other serious problems (e.g., lung or heart failure)1

• Quality of life may be diminished1

COPD – Why is it Important to Our COPD – Why is it Important to Our Community?Community?

•About 28 African Americans per every 100,000 died from COPD in 20061

•1,823 Maryland residents died from COPD in 2005, ranking the state the 27th highest in COPD deaths2

•In 2001, more Black women (ages 45-64) had chronic bronchitis than Black men, White women or White men in the same age group3

•Nearly 1 in 5 African American adults smoke4

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Maryland

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Smoking Rates in Smoking Rates in Baltimore City & MarylandBaltimore City & Maryland

Percentage of adults who currently smoke cigarettes by sex and race (2007)