Chronic Disease Discussion Questions Related

Review Chronic Disease Discussion Questions related questions and content

The pathophysiology of Asthma differs from COPD as:

  • A. It is characterised by airflow limitation.
  • B. There is abnormal inflammatory response to exposure to noxious particles or gases.
  • C. The airflow limitation is reversible.
  • D. It is considered an obstructive lung disease.
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Asthma and COPD both feature airflow obstruction, but their pathophysiology diverges critically. Both have limitation, but asthma's is intermittent and reversible with bronchodilators due to bronchial hyperresponsiveness and inflammation (e.g., eosinophilic), per Farrell (2017). COPD's abnormal inflammatory response to noxious stimuli (e.g., smoking) causes progressive, irreversible damage (e.g., neutrophilic, emphysema), not asthma's profile. Reversibility defines asthma spirometry normalizes post-treatment unlike COPD's fixed obstruction (FEV₁/FVC <0.7 persists). Both are obstructive diseases, but this isn't the distinguishing feature. Asthma's reversible limitation stems from smooth muscle spasm and mucosal edema, responsive to therapy, contrasting COPD's structural loss (alveolar destruction), making this the key differential in clinical management and prognosis.