Enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC). Bases para el médico general / Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Bases for the General Practitioner

Resumen La enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC) es una enfermedad crónico-degenerativa frecuente, prevenible y tratable, caracterizada por persistentes síntomas respiratorios y limitación del flujo aéreo. En 2016, el Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias (INER) la ubicó en el cuarto lugar en la tabla de morbi-mortalidad anual en México. Su prevalencia está directamente relacionada con la del tabaquismo; sin embargo, su desarrollo es multifactorial. Para el estudio de la EPOC es importante conocer los antecedentes de exposición a factores de riesgo y la presencia de los principales síntomas; es esencial una historia clínica bien detallada, donde se recabe la mayor cantidad de datos de todo nuevo paciente en el que se conozca o se sospeche de la enfermedad, así como una espirometría para establecer el diagnóstico. Debido a la gran variabilidad que existe entre los pacientes con EPOC, es necesario establecer tratamiento farmacológico individualizado. Los fármacos utilizados en su tratamiento reducen los síntomas, la frecuencia y la gravedad de las exacerbaciones; sin embargo, no hay ningún medicamento que modifique el deterioro a largo plazo de la función pulmonar. Por lo tanto, el conocimiento básico de este padecimiento por el médico de primer contacto es esencial para la sospecha en una etapa inicial, y así ofrecer al paciente una intervención médica inmediata. El presente trabajo tiene la finalidad de acercar al médico general una visión básica de la EPOC.

Abstract Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic degenerative disease. It is a frequent, preventable and treatable disease characterized by persistent respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation. The National Institute of Respiratory Diseases (INER), ranked COPD in 2016 in fourth place in the table of annual morbidity and mortality in Mexico. The prevalence of COPD is directly related to smoking; however, its development is multifactorial. For its study it is important to know of any prior exposure to risk factors and of any manifestation of the main symptoms. To make a diagnosis, a detailed clinical history, where the largest amount of data is collected from every new possible COPD patient, and a spirometry are essential. Individual pharmacological treatment is necessary due to the great variability among COPD patients. The drugs used in the treatment of COPD reduce the symptoms, the frequency and severity of exacerbations; however, there is no medication that modifies the long-term deterioration of the lung function. Therefore, a basic knowledge of this condition by the medical doctor first contacted, is essential for the suspicion of COPD in its initial stage and thus, offer the patient immediate medical intervention. The objective of the present work is to provide a basic overview of COPD to the general practitioner.

Programa nacional de infecciones respiratorias agudas y síndrome bronquial obstructivo en Chile / The Chilean National Program for Acute Respiratory Infections and Bronchial Obstructive Syndrome

En Chile, las infecciones respiratorias agudas (IRA), constituyen un importante problema de salud pública. Durante la década del 80’, la tasa de mortalidad infantil por neumonía subió y las investigaciones operacionales demostraron que en muchos de estos fallecidos, el deceso ocurría en domicilio o trayecto al hospital. Estos estudios identificaron los factores de riesgo aplicándose un puntaje de riesgo de fallecer por neumonía, y además de esto, demostraron que la etiología era preferentemente viral. Considerando estos antecedentes y el tipo de organización del sistema de salud chileno, se elaboró una propuesta de Programa de IRA, que posteriormente fue adoptada como oficial por el Ministerio de Salud. Este programa consiste en disminuir la morbimortalidad y mejorar la capacidad resolutiva de la patología respiratoria del niño en el nivel primario de atención de salud. Se incorpora el manejo moderno del Síndrome Bronquial Obstructivo (SBO), primera causa de consulta y de hospitalización en Pediatría y factor de riesgo de neumonía, agrega Kinesiólogos y transfiere tecnología a los centros de atención primaria para mejorar su capacidad resolutiva. En la actualidad el Programa nacional de IRA cuenta con 630 salas de hospitalización abreviada o “salas de IRA” en todo el territorio nacional. Se implementó un monitoreo epidemiológico en 8 centros centinelas que permite conocer diariamente todas las consultas de IRA en APS y tomar medidas adicionales para satisfacer momentos de elevada demanda de atención (Campaña de Invierno).Entre los resultados sanitarios más importantes destaca la reducción de las hospitalizaciones por SBO y especialmente el reiterado quiebre hacia el descenso de la mortalidad infantil por neumonía, en particular de su componente domiciliario. Las evaluaciones independientes han mostrado un alto rendimiento costo beneficio de los recursos usados en este campo...

In Chile, ARIs are major problem in heath. During the 80s the infant mortality rate for pneumonia rose, with studies demonstrating that many of the deaths occurred at home or on route to the hospital. These studies identified risk factors and that the predominant etiology was viral. Taking these facts in account an the type of organization of the Chilean Health Service a program of ARI was elaborate which was later adopted as the official Health Ministry program, This incorporated the modern management of obstructive bronchitis, including physiotherapist and the transfer of technology to primary health care centers to improve their operational capacity. The National ARI Programmed has 630 units throughout the country and has brought about a fairer distribution of health care services and a better technical quality to the poorer populations of our country. Amongst the more important results that the program have achieved, we emphasize the reduction in hospitalizations for obstructive bronchitis, the repeated lowering of infant mortality for pneumonia, especially in death at home. Independent evaluations have demonstrated a highly efficient cost-benefit ratio used in the program. With the lowering mortality for pneumonia we must stress the need to improve the quality of life for Chilean children, especial when we consider the increasing number of children with chronic respiratory disease.

Pathophysiology of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic progressive disease that is characterized by irreversible airflow limitation with a partially reversible component. The pathologic abnormalities of COPD are associated with lung inflammation, an imbalance of proteinases and antiproteinases, and oxidative stress that are induced by noxious particles and gases in susceptible individuals. The physiologic changes of COPD are mucus hypersecretion, ciliary dysfunction, airflow limitation, pulmonary hyperinflation, gas exchange abnormalities, pulmonary hypertension, cor pulmonale, and systemic effects. The airflow limitation results principally from an increase in the resistance of the small conducting airways and a decrease in the pulmonary elastic recoil due to emphysematous lung destruction. This article provides a general overview of the pathophysiology of COPD.

Pathophysiology of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease / 결핵및호흡기질환

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic progressive disease, characterized by irreversible airflow limitation, with a partially reversible component. The pathological abnormalities of COPD are associated with lung inflammation, imbalances of proteinase and antiproteinase, and oxidative stress, which are induced by noxious particles and gases in susceptible individuals. The physiological changes of COPD are mucus hyper-secretion, ciliary dysfunction, airflow limitation, pulmonary hyperinflation, gas exchange abnormalities, pulmonary hypertension, cor pulmonale and systemic effects. The airflow limitation principally results from an increase in the resistance of the small conducting airways and a decrease in pulmonary elastic recoil due to emphysematous lung destruction. This article provides a general overview of the pathophysiology of COPD.

Primary studies on chronic persistent obstructive bronchitis treated by traditional medicine

The authors did statistics on 120 patients with chronic persistent obstructive bronchitis who were examined and divided into many types according to traditional therapy. Result showed that there were four main types: asthenia of both lung and spleen, asthenia of lung-yin and kidney-yin, asthenia of lung-yang and kidney-yang and asthenia of lung-yang and spleen-yang and kidney-yang. Among them, asthenia of both lung and spleen type make the highest rate 62.5%, asthenia of lung-yin and kidney-yin type 18.3% and asthenia of lung-yang and spleen-yang and kidney-yang type make the lowest rate 8.4%.