“Doctor I have a cough” QUIZ

Dr Elfrieda Power

GP VTS2

September 2012

• How many patients present with the classical triad of dyspnoea, pleuritic chest pain and haemoptysis?

a. 80%

b. 50%

c. 20%

d. <10%

1. Pulmonary Embolism

• How many patients present with the classical triad of dyspnoea, pleuritic chest pain and haemoptysis?

a. 80%

b. 50%

c. 20%

d. <10%

1. Pulmonary Embolism

• BMJ suggests we should consider the diagnosis in patients with:

• Dyspnoea, pleuritic chest pain and haemoptysis (this classical triad occurs in <10%)

• Any chest symptoms in a patient with clinical features of a DVT

• Dyspnoea or chest pain and a major risk factor for PE

• Unexplained dyspnoea or unexplained haemoptysis even if they have no RF for PE

1. Pulmonary Embolism

• If a diagnosis of PE is suspected, use a clinical prediction rule to assess pre-test probability and if needed use a D-dimer.

• Can you name the 7 risk factors that form the Well’s PE Scoring tool?

1. Pulmonary Embolism

1. Pulmonary Embolism

• If D-dimer is low and clinical probability is low (on Well’s score), then PE is ruled out, but if high clinical probability - send straight to hospital, a normal D-dimer does not rule out a PE.

• Confirmation by CTPA.

• Anticoagulation is continued for at least 3 months for both DVT and PE.

1. Pulmonary Embolism

• How many of those diagnosed with lung cancer had a normal CXR in primary care?

a. 1%

b. 5%

c. 10%

d. 20%

2. Lung Cancer

• How many of those diagnosed with lung cancer had a normal CXR in primary care?

a. 1%

b. 5%

c. 10%

d. 20%

2. Lung Cancer

• 10% of those diagnosed with lung cancer, had a normal CXR in primary care.

• If the CXR was <90d old this reduced to 6%.

• No particular constellation of symptoms was more likely with a negative CXR

2. Lung Cancer

• The following are suspicious clinical features of lung cancer:

• Which statement about any of these symptoms would require an urgent CXR?

a. Lasting more than 2 weeks

b. Unexplained by another illness

c. Lasting more than 2 weeks and unexplained by another illness

d. Lasting more than 3 weeks or unexplained by another illness

2. Lung Cancer

Cough

Dyspnoea

Chest signs

Haemoptysis

Hoarseness

Chest/shoulder pain

Clubbing

Weight loss

Cervical/supraclavicular lymphadenopathy

Any features suggestive of metastases

• Any of these symptoms lasting more than 3w OR unexplained by another illness should have an urgent CXR.

• Urgent referral should be made (even without waiting fro the CXR result) if:• Smoker/ex-smoker over 40yrs with persistent haemoptysis

• Stridor

• Signs of SVCO - What are these?

• Urgent referral if:• Abnormal CXR

• Normal CXR but suspicion of cancer remains

2. Lung Cancer

• Which of the following is False?

a. A history suggestive of COPD includes over 35yrs, smoker/ex-smoker and symptoms including exertional breathlessness, chronic cough, regular sputum production, frequent winter bronchitis and wheeze.

b. Stopping smoking has no impact on lung function

b. Investigations required include post-bronchodilator spirometry, CXR, FBC and BMI

c. Diagnosis is confirmed if post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC is <0.7

3. COPD

• Which of the following is False?

a. A history suggestive of COPD includes over 35yrs, smoker/ex-smoker and symptoms including exertional breathlessness, chronic cough, regular sputum production, frequent winter bronchitis and wheeze.

b. Stopping smoking has no impact on lung function

b. Investigations required include post-bronchodilator spirometry, CXR, FBC and BMI

c. Diagnosis is confirmed if post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC is <0.7

3. COPD

3. COPD

Fletcher-Peto Curve

3. COPD

Severity POST bronchodilator FEV1

(% of predicted value) Mild airflow obstruction

> 80%

Moderate airflow obstruction

50–80%

Severe airflow obstruction

30 – 49%

V. Severe airflow obstruction

<30%

• Grade severity Objectively and Subjectively• All must have post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC <0.7

Grade Degree of breathlessness related to activities

1 Not troubled by breathlessness except on strenuous exercise

2 Short of breath when hurrying or walking up a slight hill

3 Walks slower than contemporaries on level ground because of breathlessness, or has to stop for breath when walking at own pace

4 Stops for breath after walking about 100m or after a few minutes on level ground

5 Too breathless to leave the house, or breathless when dressing or undressing

Must also be symptomatic

3. COPD

• True or False?

a. SABAs (eg. Salbutamol) are associated with an increased cardiovascular risk

b. Inhaled steroids are associated with reduced exacerbations but an increased risk of pneumonia

c. Spireva respimat should not be used in those with known cardiac rhythm abnormalities

d. Triple therapy is required before stepping up to oral therapy

e. If cumulative lifetime steroid dose >1g consider DXA scanning or rx with bisphosphonate

3. COPD

• True or False?

a. SABAs (eg. Salbutamol) are associated with an increased cardiovascular risk F

b. Inhaled steroids are associated with reduced exacerbations but an increased risk of pneumonia T

c. Spireva respimat should not be used in those with known cardiac rhythm abnormalities T

d. Triple therapy is required before stepping up to oral therapy F

e. If cumulative lifetime steroid dose >1g consider DXA scanning or rx with bisphosphonate T

4. Asthma

• From April 2012 OF required GP’s to record asthma control using the Royal College of Physicians 3 Questions.

• What are the RCP 3 Questions?

4. Asthma

1.

Have you had diffi culty in sleeping because of your asthma symptoms?

Have you had your usual asthma symptoms during the day (cough,

wheeze, chest tightness)?

Has your asthma interfered with your usual activities (work.sex.housework/exercise)?

DAY

NIGHT

ADLs

Used to help monitor morbidity, take action if YES to any of these questions using BTS step-wise guidelines.

4. Asthma

*** IMPORTANT ***

Long-acting beta-agonists must always be used with inhaled steroids in asthmatics. Use of LABA alone has been associated with increased mortality (although it’s fine in COPD).

4. Asthma

• In acute exacerbations oral steroids are used much earlier, in preference to doubling of inhaled steroids.

• Name 5 systemic side effects of frequent oral steroid use in adults and children:

4. Asthma

• In acute exacerbations oral steroids are used much earlier, in preference to doubling of inhaled steroids.

• Name 5 systemic side effects of frequent oral steroid use in adults and children:

Raised BP

Diabetes

Osteoporosis

Reduced growth in children

Cataracts

5. Dyspepsia

• 5% of adults/yr see their GP about dyspepsia.• 1% will go on to have an endoscopy. Of these

- 80% will have reflux or non-ulcer dyspepsia- 13% will have a peptic ulcer- <3% will have a malignancy

What are red flag symptoms that require referral for endoscopy?

5. Dyspepsia

• Red Flag Symptoms:Chronic GI bleedingProgressive dyspepsiaProgressive unintentional weight lossPersistant vomitingIron deficiency anaemiaEpigastric mass

• Refer for endoscopy anyone >55 yrs with unexplained and persistant (>4-6wks) recent onset dyspepsia even without red flags

5. Dyspepsia

• Which of the following drugs does not cause dyspepsia?

a. Calcium channel blockersb. Nitratesc. Bisphosphonatesd. Statinse. NSAIDSsf. Corticosteroids

5. Dyspepsia

• Which of the following drugs does not cause dyspepsia?

a. Calcium channel blockersb. Nitratesc. Bisphosphonatesd. Statinse. NSAIDSsf. Corticosteroids

5. Dyspepsia

• True or False?

• There is no differences between test and treat or treat and test

• H. Pylori eradication regime lasts 14 days• An H. Pylori eradication regime includes full dose PPI +

Amoxicilln + Clarithromycin• NICE advises stopping PPI’s and H2RA 4 weeks before

endoscopy

5. Dyspepsia

• True or False?

• There is no differences between test and treat or treat and test T

• H. Pylori eradication regime lasts 14 days F• An H. Pylori eradication regime includes full dose PPI +

Amoxicilln + Clarithromycin T• NICE advises stopping PPI’s and H2RA 4 weeks before

endoscopy F

6. Acute bronchitis

True or False?

• There is no evidence for cough mixtures or beta-agonists in acute bronchitis

• The cough with bronchitis lasts, on average 3 weeks.

• Antibiotics do not make the cough get better more quickly

• CRP and CXR are helpful

6. Acute bronchitis

True or False?

• There is no evidence for cough mixtures or beta-agonists in acute bronchitis T

• The cough with bronchitis lasts, on average 3 weeks T

• Antibiotics make the cough get better more quickly F

• CRP and CXR are helpful F

7. Pnuemonia

The British Thoracic Society (BTS) defines pneumonia as:

Cough and at least one other lower respiratory tract symptom

AND New focal chest signs on examination

AND EITHER sweating, fevers, shivers, aches and pains OR fever >38 AND No other explanation for symptoms.

The BTS recommends the CURB-65 score to assess severity and in particular to identify those who are likely to need admission.

What is CURB 65?

7. Pnuemonia

7. Pnuemonia

• True or false?

• In primary care CRP is unlikely to change managemnet

• Atypical pneumonia refers to Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydia pneumoniae and Legionella species.

• In primary care the CURB65 tool underestimates risk.

• Amoxicillin or erythromycin should be used first line.

• BTS recommends a 7 day course of treatment although evidence is emerging that shorter courses may be as beneficial.

7. Pnuemonia

• True or false?

• In primary care CRP is unlikely to change management T

• Atypical pneumonia refers to Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydia pneumoniae and Legionella species. T

• In primary care the CURB65 tool underestimates risk. F

• Amoxicillin or erythromycin should be used first line. T

• BTS recommends a 7 day course of treatment although evidence is emerging that shorter courses may be as beneficial. T

8. Heart Failure

• True or False?

a. SIGN recommend that patient self- weigh and should report a more than 1.5-2kg weight gain to their GP

b. BNP is reliable in all circumstances

c. Diuretics improve prognosis

d. If LVSD NICE advises offering both ACEI and beta-blockers

e. Functional Capacity is classified according to the NYHA scoring.

8. Heart Failure

• True or False?

a. SIGN recommend that patient self- weigh and should report a more than 1.5-2kg weight gain to their GP T

b. BNP is reliable in all circumstances F

c. Diuretics improve prognosis F

d. If LVSD NICE advises offering both ACEI and beta-blockers T

e. Functional Capacity is classified according to the NYHA scoring T

8. Heart Failure

• BNP is affected by ischaemia, tachycardia, hypoxaemia, COPD, diabetes, cirrhosis, renal failure, old age, sepsis, obesity and drugs

• NYHA Classification of heart failure:

9. Tuberculosis

BCG Immunisation should be offered to:

a. Neonates living in a low incidence area (<40/100000)

b. Children at increased risk of TB

c. All immigrants from high risk countries

d. TB contacts

e. Abattoir workers

9. Tuberculosis

BCG Immunisation should be offered to:

a. Neonates living in a low incidence area (<40/100000) F

b. Children at increased risk of TB T

c. All immigrants from high risk countries F

d. TB contacts T

e. Abattoir workers T/F

9. Tuberculosis

What are risk factors for TB?

9. Tuberculosis

• Risk factors:Born in high prevalence areas

With HIV, diabetes, chronic renal failure, previous gastrectomy, lung disease, cancer, post-transplant.

On immunosuppressants

Who are homeless, institutionalized, or living in prison or overcrowded conditions.

With alcohol problems, or who are intravenous drug users.

Who have had previous (especially incomplete) treatment for TB.

Who have had close contacts of someone with active TB

Clinical features that may make you suspect active TB in high risk individuals:

Weight loss

Fever

Night sweats

Anorexia

Malaise

Don’t forget extra-pulmonary TB

10. Sarcoidosis

True or False?

• More common in smokers

• Up to 50% may be asymptomatic

• Tissue biopsy confirms the diagnosis

• Prognosis is generally good

• Refer to opthalmology to look for cataracts

10. Sarcoidosis

True or False?

• More common in smokers F

• Up to 50% may be asymptomatic T

• Tissue biopsy confirms the diagnosis T

• Prognosis is generally good T

• Refer to opthalmology to look for cataracts F

11. Bronchiectasis

True or False?

• Key feature is a chronic productive cough

• Pathology involves abnormal thickening of bronchial walls and dilatation of bronchi, set up by a vicious cycle of inflammation and infection

• Always shows up on CXR

• Inhaled steroids are the mainstay of therapy

• May be mistaken for asthma/COPD

11. Bronchiectasis

True or False?

• Key feature is a chronic productive cough T

• Pathology involves abnormal thickening of bronchial walls and dilatation of bronchi, set up by a vicious cycle of inflammation and infection T

• Always shows up on CXR F

• Inhaled steroids are the mainstay of therapy T

• May be mistaken for asthma/COPD T

12. Miscellaneous

True or False?

• A NICE guideline on Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis will become available in June 2013

• A chronic cough occurs in up to 33%

• In whooping cough, the inspiratory whoop is attenuated in those who have been immunised

• The Lancet advice that the diagnosis of whooping cough is best made by pernasal swab

• Antibiotics are beneficial to the patient in whooping cough

12. Miscellaneous

True or False?

• A NICE guideline on Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis will become available in June 2013 T

• A chronic cough occurs in up to 33% T

• In whooping cough, the inspiratory whoop is attenuated in those who have been immunised T

• The Lancet advice that the diagnosis of whooping cough is best made by pernasal swab F

• Antibiotics are beneficial to the patient in whooping cough F

And the winner is…

Thank you