Deck 39: Epidemiology of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Question 1

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) causes nearly 3 million deaths annually in the world population.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Overall, COPD ranks fifth in cause-specific mortality and is projected to climb even higher in the coming years.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

The vast majority of deaths from COPD (nearly 90%) occur in developed countries.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

In developed countries, COPD currently ranks third in mortality, behind only cardiovascular disease and cancer.

Question 5

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) actually refers to the presence of either of three conditions, asthma, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis.

Question 6

The predominant etiologic agent in the genesis of both emphysema and chronic bronchitis is cigarette smoking (or any other form of smoking tobacco).

Question 7

The best documented genetic risk factor for COPD is α₁ antitrypsin deficiency.

Question 8

The inheritance pattern of defective α₁ antitrypsin genes is autosomal dominant.

Question 9

Tobacco smoking accounts for approximately 50% of COPD in the world population.

Question 10

The risk of COPD increases 28% in men and 16% in women with each 10-pack-year increment of cigarette smoking.

Question 11

Recent estimates suggest that almost half of the world population is continually exposed to biomass smoke from the combustion of solid fuels such as wood and coal.

Question 12

Up to 20% of COPD cases are attributable to indoor sources of pollution such as biomass smoke from cooking and heating in poorly ventilated dwellings.

Question 13

The most important preventive strategy to reduce COPD morbidity and mortality is smoking cessation.

Question 14

Combined results from epidemiologic studies suggest there is a significant dose response in COPD risk with increasing duration of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke.

Question 15

The most important preventive strategy to reduce COPD morbidity and mortality is total abstinence from tobacco use.

Question 16

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) refers to the presence of which of the following conditions?

A) Emphysema
B) Chronic bronchitis
C) Asthma
D) a and b are correct.
E) a, b and c are all correct.

Question 17

The diagnosis of COPD is confirmed by lung spirometry when the ratio of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) to forced vital capacity (FVC) falls below what threshold value?

A) 80%
B) 70%
C) 50%
D) 40%

Question 18

After age 55 years, the prevalence of COPD in men exceeds that in women by approximately:

A) 50%.
B) 2-fold.
C) 3-fold.
D) 4-fold.

Question 19

The risk factors for COPD include all of the following except:

A) ionizing radiation.
B) chronic exposure to tobacco smoke.
C) occupational coal mining.
D) chronic exposure to biomass smoke.

Question 20

What primary genetic condition predisposes to emphysema?

A) α₁ antitrypsin deficiency
B) Cystic fibrosis
C) Lynch syndrome
D) Neurofibromatosis

Question 21

The presence of COPD significantly increases the risk of which of the following forms of cancer?

A) Lung cancer
B) Breast cancer
C) Colon cancer
D) Esophageal cancer

Question 22

Tobacco smoking and/or chronic exposure to biomass smoke account for approximately what percentage of COPD cases in the world population?

A) 50%
B) 60%
C) 70%
D) 80%

Question 23

According to recent WHO survey data, approximately what fraction of adults are chronic smokers in the world population?

A) One-fifth
B) One-quarter
C) One-third
D) One-half

Question 24

Distinguish between emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

Question 25

Discuss the global burden of COPD.

Question 26

Discuss findings of key studies of tobacco smoking and COPD.

Question 27

Discuss findings of key studies of indoor air pollution and COPD.

Question 28

Discuss findings of key studies of outdoor air pollution and COPD.

Question 29

Describe the primary genetic defect that predisposes to COPD.

Question 30

Characterize the association of COPD and lung cancer.

Question 31

Discuss strategies for the prevention and control of COPD.