Compare
Asthma vs COPD
| Dimension | Asthma | COPD |
|---|---|---|
| Onset | Often young; atopic history | Mid-life onward; smoking or exposure history |
| Course | Episodic, normal between attacks | Progressive with exacerbations |
| Spirometry | Obstruction with significant bronchodilator reversibility | Obstruction that persists post-bronchodilator |
| DLCO | Normal (or high) | Reduced in emphysema |
| Inflammation | Eosinophilic, steroid-responsive | Neutrophilic predominance |
Pearls
- Reversibility and DLCO are the two most discriminating numbers.
- Overlap exists; longstanding asthma can remodel into fixed obstruction.
Connected