Review Question - QID 100868

Chronic bronchitis tends to occur in chronic smokers and presents with a chronic, very productive cough. This disease is characterized by increased mucous production via increased goblet cells.

Chronic bronchitis can be described as a state of chronic inflammation of the medium-sized airways (bronchi) of the lungs. Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are subtypes of COPD. Clinically, chronic bronchitis patients present with a persistent sputum-producing cough most days of the month, for at least three months per year for two years in a row. Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of chronic bronchitis. Chronic bronchitis is caused by repetitive injury/irritation to the respiratory epithelium leading to chronic inflammation, fibrosis, and luminal narrowing with increased number of goblet cells leading to increased mucous production.

Illustration A depicts an overview image of normal vs. chronic bronchitis. Illustration B shows the differences between chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

Incorrect Answers:
Answer 1: Interstitial fibrosis would be seen in interstitial lung disease such as in scleroderma.
Answer 2, 4: Pleural plaques are a classic finding in asbestos exposure which could lead to malignant mesothelioma or more commonly brochogenic carcinoma. Ferruginous bodies are another classic finding in asbestos exposure.
Answer 5: Mucous gland atrophy would not be seen but rather hypertrophy/hyperplasia in response to the regular exposure of the irritating milieu of smoke from smoking.