COPD Management (Read Code H3) - Pennine GP Training
COPD Management (Read code H3)
Definition
A chronic progressive deterioration of small airway obstruction with little variation in lung function and incomplete reversibility. Spirometry essential.
Usually over the age of 35 with a history of greater than 10 pack years of smoking (daily smokes x years of smoking divided by 20).
Common (2x angina) but often undiagnosed.
Post bronchodilator FEV1 < 80% of predicted and FEV1/FVC ratio < 0.7 indicating an obstructive picture with a history consistent with COPD.
• Do not Read code as COPD (H3 or by severity as below) unless the diagnosis is confirmed by history and post bronchodilator spirometry. All FEV1 and FVC values should be Read coded!
• Diagnosis should only be made with postbronchodilator spirometry and coded as such for QOF
Grading of severity
On the basis of post bronchodilator FEV1/predicted in patients with an FEV1/FVC ratio 80%* |XaElV |
|Moderate airflow obstruction | 50–79% |XaElW |
|Severe airflow obstruction | 30 – 49% |XaElY |
|V. Severe airflow obstruction | 10 pack years smoking hx and > 35 years – if not re-consider the diagnosis.
▪ Objective assessment with post bronchodilator FEV1/FEV ratio < 0.7 with no significant reversibility. Record grade: mild, moderate or severe on the basis of percentage post bronchodilator FEV1 vs predicted.
▪ Record BMI
▪ CXR to exclude bullae, tumour, pulmonary oedema, bronchiectasis (CT may be required )
▪ Consider FBC if there is a clinical suspicion of anaemia or polycythaemia.
▪ Consider alpha-antrypsin deficiency if < 40 years old
When to refer
1. Uncertain diagnosis e.g. History or Examination: age 110, unable to speak in sentences or confused.
• SaO2 4 x seven day courses in a lifetime).
• Inhaled steroid > 1000mcg day beclomethasone.
If unable to have a DEXA then treat, 1st line = a bisphosphonate.
If steroid course likely to > 3 months then treat, 1st line = a bisphosphonate.
If able to have a DEXA and the T score above -1.5 treat with lifestyle measures +/- calcium supplementation. NB DEXA needs repeating every 3 years
If the T score is = -1.5 or lower then treat, 1st line = a bisphosphonate.
NB Consider repeat DEXA every 3 years
Another strategy for deciding who warrants a DEXA scan is to use Qfracture - (or FRAX via SystmOne) where a DEXA is indicated if risk >10%.
QOF summary points
COPD001 COPD register 3
COPD002 post-bronchodilator spirometry 5
if diagnosed after 1/4/11
(3/12 before to 12/12 after diagnosis)
COPD003 Annual review, including 9
MRC dyspnoea scale
COPD004 FEV1 within 12 months 7
COPD005 SpO2 if MRC score 3 or above 5
COPD007 fluvax in preceding 1st August 6
to 31st March
total 35
Reference:
NICE 2010
The management of chronic breathlessness in patients with advanced and terminal illness
BMJ 2015; 349 doi: (Published 02 January 2015)
GPUpdate handbook 2015
Useful Read codes (Systm1)
COPD H3
Post bronchodilator spirometry XaXeg
Referral for spirometry XaK02
COPD annual review XaIet
MRC dyspnoea scale 1 XaIUi
MRC dyspnoea scale 2 XaIUl
MRC dyspnoea scale 3 XaIUm
MRC dyspnoea scale 4 XaIUn
MRC dyspnoea scale 5 XaIUo
Mild COPD XaElV
Moderate COPD XaElW
Severe COPD XaElY
Very severe COPD XaN4a
Oxygen saturation at periphery X770D
Admit COPD emergency XaJFu
Number of COPD exacerbations in
past year XaK8U
Summary reproduced from BNF 68 0/3 2015 p 184 3.1
[pic]
Example of COPD exacerbation info for patients
BRIG ROYD SURGERY
COPD Action Plan
WHAT ACTION TO TAKE IF YOUR SYMPTOMS (cough, sputum or shortness of breath) GET WORSE
1. RELIEVER TREATMENT
Via inhaler or nebuliser
Maximum dose ______ / ______ times per day
2. Check the colour of your sputum:
Cough sputum onto a white tissue
If your sputum colour has changed from clear or pale to a darker shade
e.g. yellow or green: start ANTIBIOTICS:
Please take your home supply
or obtain a prescription without delay from the surgery
3. PREDNISOLONE
If breathlessness is not improved by relievers, take 30mg once daily
(6 x 5mg tablets) for planned course (duration may vary).
4. Follow up
Let us know (same or next working day) if you have needed to use your standby treatment. We will usually want to review your chest and treatment after an episode like this
5. If you are not getting better with treatment or getting worse despite treatment, let us know (or out of hours NHS 111) as you may need an urgent assessment.
Further information for patients and carers:
Adapted from Primary Care Respiratory Society 2010
................
................
In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.
To fulfill the demand for quickly locating and searching documents.
It is intelligent file search solution for home and business.