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features of chronic bronchitis vs pulmonary emphysema
Clinical manifestations:
Emphysema:
1) age at diagnosis: > 50-60 years
2) dyspnea: severe
3) cough: after dyspnea starts
4) sputum: scanty, mucoid
5) bronchial infections: infrequent
6) respiratory insufficiency: often in terminal phase
7) chest X-ray:
- hyperinflation, +/- bullous changes, small heart
8) paO2: 65-75 mm Hg
9) paCO2: 35-40 mm Hg
10) hematocrit: 35-45%
11) pulmonary hypertension:
- none or mild at rest, moderate with exercise
12) cor pulmonale: rare, except in terminal phases
13) pulmonary elastic recoil: severely diminished
14) respiratory resistance: normal to slightly increased
15) diffusing capacity: decreased
Bronchitis
1) age at diagnosis: > 50-60 years
2) dyspnea: mild
3) cough: before dyspnea starts
4) sputum: copious, purulent
5) bronchial infections: frequent
6) respiratory insufficiency: repeated
7) chest X-ray:
- increased bronchovascular markings at base, large heart
8) paO2: 45-60 mm Hg
9) paCO2: 50-60 mm Hg
10) hematocrit: 50-55%
11) pulmonary hypertension:
- moderate to severe at rest, worsens with exercise
12) cor pulmonale: common
13) pulmonary elastic recoil: normal
14) respiratory resistance: high
15) diffusing capacity: normal to mildly diminished
Related
chronic bronchitis
pulmonary emphysema
References
Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 13th ed.
Isselbacher et al (eds), McGraw-Hill Inc. NY, 1994, pg 1187