Table 4Factors Differentiating Asthma and COPD*

FactorsAsthmaCOPD
Age of onsetUsually < 30 yearsUsually > 40 years
Antibiotics for exacerbationPoor efficacyGood efficacy
Bronchodilator reversibilityComplete or nearly soPartial
Family historyUsuallyUncommon
History of atopyOftenUncommon
HypoxemiaRare (extreme distress)Common
IgE elevationCommonUncommon
Leukotriene modifier responsivenessStrongUsually weak
Lung function with therapyNear normalChronically < normal
PolycythemiaRareNot uncommon
Progressive deteriorationUncommonTypical
Prominent coughNocturnal, exerciseEarly morning
Purulent sputumUncommonTypical
Smoking historyVariableUsually
Steroid responsivenessStrongUsually weak
*

Asthma-COPD Overlap Syndrome (ACOS) or Asthma-COPD Overlap (ACO) descriptions are emerging to acknowledge patients with features of both diseases.1 Consider referring such patients to a pulmonologist.

From: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Cover of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
Chick DA, Grant PJ, Van Harrison R, et al.
Ann Arbor (MI): Michigan Medicine University of Michigan; 2020 Jul.
© Regents of the University of Michigan.

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