The Differentiation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease from Asthma: A Review of Current Diagnostic and Treatment Recommendations

Abstract

Aim:Global and regional data have shown that chronic airway diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma are increasing in incidence and prevalence, with detrimental consequences to healthcare resources and the quality of life of patients. A firm diagnosis of COPD or asthma is important because the natural history, treatment, and outcomes differ between the two respiratory diseases. The aim of this review is to provide nurse practitioners (NPs) with the requisite facts to understand and improve the diagnosis and treatment of affected individuals.Methods:Articles on the differential diagnosis, treatment, and management of COPD and asthma published in peer-reviewed journals were retrieved from PubMed. Evidence-based respiratory guidelines, World Health Organization disease-related data, and US prescribing information for different respiratory medications served as additional data sources.Conclusions:NPs, along with other primary care professionals, form the frontline in diagnosing, treating, and managing COPD and asthma. Differentiating COPD from asthma has prognostic as well as significant therapeutic implications. Since NPs play a key role in diagnosing and managing patients with COPD and asthma, those with a comprehensive understanding of the diagnostic and therapeutic differences between the two diseases can help to lower the risks of exacerbations and hospitalizations, and improve the quality of life of these patients.

Defining the key clinical indicators for ineffective breathing pattern in paediatric patients: a meta‐analysis of accuracy studies

“…A high specificity of increased antero‐posterior diameter was also found in children with asthma. This type of change is an adaptive mechanism against the constant need to increase the lung expansion because of airflow limitation; thus, this symptom is a consequence of severe and persistent asthma (Spencer & Krieger ).…”

Cigarette Smoke Exposure Exacerbates Lung Inflammation and Compromises Immunity to Bacterial Infection

“…In contrast to asthma, the limitation of airflow is poorly reversible and usually progressively worsens (3,4). Chronic bronchitis and emphysema commonly co-exist in the lungs of COPD patients.…”

Differentiate: A Concept Analysis

“…Based on the literature search, all scholarly authors agreed that the evidence-based literature characterized the concept differentiate applied to the APN. Most authors explained how APNs assessed the differences between signs and symptoms of various diagnoses when performing a differential diagnosis [3,5,[9][10][11][12][13]. APNs compared and contrasted differences of the possible diagnoses to distinguish among the identified diagnoses.…”

“…The APNs discriminated among the differences in potential diagnoses, a skill that took time to improve, involved critical thinking, and led to an accurate diagnosis [2,5]. An APN accurately conducted a differential diagnosis by sorting through the complexity of each potential diagnosis process [2,5,12]. Finally, all authors agreed that an APN differentiated among potential diagnoses by understanding the antecedents of a differential diagnosis, including a complete clinical picture of the patient's presenting history as well as knowledge of the pertinent signs and symptoms of the presenting illness.…”