A case study on Asthma-COPD Overlap (ACO) is independent from COPD

• Main Authors: Divya Khanduja (Author), NC Kajal (Author), Libin Mathew (Author), Deepak Garg (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Archives of Pulmonology and Respiratory Care - Peertechz Publications, 2021-07-23.
• Subjects: Case Report
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.

<p>As we know that, Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases are well characterized diseases, they can co-exist as asthma-COPD overlap (ACO). The co-existence of asthma-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease overlap (ACO) in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients is often unrecognized. In patients with a primary diagnosis of COPD, the identification of ACO has got implication for better prognosis and treatment. Such patients experience frequent exacerbations, poor quality of life, rapid decline in lung function and high mortality than COPD alone. Inhalational steroids provide significant alleviation of symptoms in such patients and some studies suggest that the most severe patients may respond to biological agents indicated for severe asthma. We report a case of 61year-old-male who presented with nocturnal and early morning breathlessness, cough and wheezing episodes for past 2-3 weeks. He was diagnosed with COPD 6 years back as patient has history of biomass fuel exposure since childhood. The criteria to diagnose asthma-COPD overlap (ACO) include positive bronchodilator response, sputum eosinophilia or previous diagnosis of asthma, high IgE and/or history of atopy. There is scarcity of literature available in country like India. We highlight the importance of identification of Asthma COPD overlap as different phenotype from COPD or asthma alone as it is challenging to diagnose ACO in India. In our case, patient was diagnosed with ACO, based on the spirometry findings and the sputum findings have helped in the modification of his treatment and causing alleviations of symptoms and better clinical outcome.</p>