COPD Case Presentation
COntinuing MeDiCal eDuCatiOn
1 CMe CreDit
Physicians
Physician Assistants
Nurse Practitioners
Valid 4/1/2011 – 7/1/2011
10/12
67 Year OlD Male with ShOrtneSS
Of Breath with exertiOn
Your patient is a 67 year old male who complains
of progressively worsening shortness of breath with
exertion over the last year. He currently smokes
half a pack of cigarettes daily and has accumulated
45 pack years. He uses a short acting beta agonist
3-4 times a day with limited relief. He is no longer
able to ride a bike with his grandchildren.
His last hospitalization was 4 months ago secondary
to right lower lobe pneumonia. He does not
complain of weight loss or loss of appetite.
He has a past medical history of dietary
controlled diabetes and mild osteoarthtitis.
Medications include Albuterol and
Celecoxib.
On exam respiratory rate is 22 per minute;
chest exam reveals mild end expiratory
wheezing without use of accessory muscles
of respiration and no retractions. No
clubbing, cyanosis or lower extremity edema
is noted. Spirometry reveals an FVC of 78%
predicted, FEV1 of 62% predicted and FEV1/FVC
of 68%, post bronchodilator.
learning OBjeCtiVeS
Those completing this activity will receive
information that should allow them to…
• Determine the severity of COPD based on
GOLD recommendations;
• Formulate a treatment plan for patients
with COPD based on severity of their
underlying disease;
• Identify the importance of smoking cessation
in patients with COPD; and
• Identify causes of COPD exacerbation.
BaCKgrOunD
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is
responsible for one death every four minutes in the US.
While 12 million Americans have been diagnosed with
the disease, it is estimated that at least that many have
COPD but are undiagnosed. Several COPD risk factors
converge in East Texas, resulting in some of the highest
rates of unnecessary hospitalizations in the state. Since
primary care physicians, PAs and NPs in the region are
the most likely to diagnose and manage COPD, they
should be made aware of the most current information
available on how to improve patient outcomes and overcome
clinical barriers to diagnostic testing and treatment.
authOr
Sherif Al-Farra, MD, FCCP, DABSM
Associate Professor of Internal Medicine
University of North Texas Health Science Center
Dr. Al-Farra has no conflicts of interest to disclose.
hOw tO reCeiVe CreDit
After reading the case presentation, record your
responses to the question on the response form and
complete the credit request and evaluation. Return
the response form, evaluation and credit request to:
PACE Office
3500 Camp Bowie Blvd
Fort Worth TX 76107
Or fax to 817-735-2598.
Your certificate will be mailed within three weeks
of receipt.
Questions? Call 800-987-2263.
releaSe anD reView Date
This activity was last reviewed and released on April 1,
2011 and expires July 1, 2011. Credit cannot be
awarded after this date.
aCCreDitatiOn anD CreDit
Physician Accreditation
The University of North Texas Health Science Center
at Fort Worth is accredited by the American Osteopathic
Association to award continuing medical education
to physicians.
The University of North Texas Health Science Center is
accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing
Medical Education (ACCME) to sponsor continuing
medical education for physicians.
CreDit DeSignatiOn
The University of North Texas Health Science Center
has requested that the AOA Council on Continuing
Medical Education approve this program for 1.0 hours
of AOA Category 2B CME credits. Approval is
currently pending.
The University of North Texas Health Science Center
at Fort Worth designates this enduring activity for
a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™.
Physicians should only claim credit commensurate
with the extent of their participation in the activity.
PhYSiCian aSSiStantS anD
nurSe PraCtitiOnerS
The University of North Texas Health Science Center
at Fort Worth is accredited by ACCME to provide
continuing medical education for physicians, and will
provide physician assistants and nurse practitioners who
successfully complete the activity with a Statement of
Participation indicating that the activity was designated
for 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™.
COMMerCial SuPPOrt
This activity is commercially supported by Boehringer
Ingelheim and Pfizer. Great care has been exercised to
ensure the content is fair and balanced.
