Epidemiological Problem: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Chamberlain College of Nursing
NR 503: Population Health, Epidemiology, & Statistical Principals
January, 20172
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
...
Epidemiological Problem: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Chamberlain College of Nursing
NR 503: Population Health, Epidemiology, & Statistical Principals
January, 20172
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Evaluation Epidemiological Problem: COPD in Kentucky
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic lung disease that is a major
cause of disability and is the third leading cause of death in the United States (National Heart,
Lung, and Blood Institute, 2013). More than 11 million people have been diagnosed with COPD
but millions of others live with this chronic disease undiagnosed (American Lung Association,
2016). The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that COPD will rank fifth in the global
burden of disease by 2020 (as cited in Kamour, Mannino, & Kanotra, 2015). The prevalence of
COPD in the U.S. was 6.1% in 2011 and increased with age (as cited in Kamour, Mannino, &
Kanotra, 2015). Worldwide, about 3 million deaths were caused by COPD in 2015 (WHO,
2016). In the state of Kentucky, lung disease is the third leading cause of death (Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2016b). Kentucky ranked the highest of all 50 states in
prevalence of COPD at 9.3% (American Lung Association, 2013). COPD can be prevented in
some cases but is not curable once it develops. This paper will discuss the background of COPD
including; definition, description, signs and symptoms, and statistics of COPD; review current
surveillance and reporting methods; conduct a descriptive analysis of the epidemiology of
COPD; diagnosis, screening and prevention of COPD and a plan to address COPD and measure
the outcomes as an advanced practice nurse.
Background and Significance of COPD
Definition and Description
COPD refers to a group of chronic lung diseases that cause a blockage in airflow and
problems with breathing (CDC, 2016a). The chronic lung diseases that are included in COPD
diagnosis are emphysema, chronic bronchitis and occasionally asthma (CDC, 2016a). COPD3
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
effects the airway, air sacs, and lung tissue (American Lung Association, 2016b). COPD causes
the airway to become thick and swollen, elasticity of the airway and air sacs to be lost, tissue of
the lungs is destroyed and an increase in mucus production causes blockage of the airway
(American Lung Association, 2016b). These effects of COPD increase the demand for oxygen
within the body and make simple activities, such as walking, very difficult. Emphysema involves
progressive damage of the lung tissue, specifically the alveoli (small air sacs) (American Lung
Association, 2013). Chronic bronchitis is chronic inflammation of the bronchi (medium air sacs)
that causes a constant cough and excessive mucus production (American Lung Association,
2013)
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