Korean J Med.  2008 Aug;75(2):149-152.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the older patient

• Lee KH

Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major cause of morbidity, mortality, and health care problems in older patients. Recently, our country became an ageing society and the prevalence of COPD in older patients will be increasing continuously. The diagnosis of COPD is confirmed by spirometry. An obstructive defect is defined as a reduced post expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio. Using the fixed FEV1/FVC ratio may create a risk for under diagnosis in young patients and overdiagnosis in older patients. The FEV1/FVC ratio decreases with age and clear consensus definition of diagnostic criteria for COPD in older patients is needed. Older patients who have COPD benefit from all effective therapies available to treat COPD. Older patients have more comorbidities that influence quality of life, prognosis and medical management. Attention for comorbidities improves the lives of older patients who have COPD.

Keyword

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Elderly

MeSH Terms

Aged
Comorbidity
Consensus
Delivery of Health Care
Humans
Lung Diseases, Obstructive
Prevalence
Prognosis
Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive
Quality of Life
Spirometry
Vital Capacity