Oropharyngeal Dysphagia with Aspiration as a Provoking Factor for COPD Exacerbation

The most common provoking factors for chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) exacerbation include viral and bacterial tracheobronchitis, pneumonia, and exposure to environmental irritants and air pollution. In many patients with COPD exacerbation, the underlying cause cannot be identified. In general, patients with COPD exacerbation get admitted to the hospital and treated with antibiotics, glucocorticoids and inhaled bronchodilators. Oropharyngeal dysphagia is an under-recognized provoking factor for COPD exacerbation. Patients with advanced COPD often have impaired coordination of respiration and deglutition which can lead to aspiration of liquids, food particles, and saliva into the airways. Aspiration events can lead to exacerbation of symptoms and cause further decline in lung function. We described a 69-year-old male with a history of COPD who presented with progressive dyspnea, productive cough and hypoxia which required intubation and mechanical ventilation. The patient underwent a bronchoscopy for airway inspection which showed pieces of meat in the right main bronchus which were removed. Reportedly, the patient was having difficulty swallowing solid food prior to admission to the hospital.