Contemporary diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the elderly

Ecaterina Luca,Catalina Ursu,Elmira Antoci,Cezar Zagorneanu,Valentin Calancea,Nicolae Bodrug

doi:10.52692/1857-0011.2021.3-71.32

Abstract

In order to elucidate the clinical features and diagnostic problems specific to geriatric patients, was studied the international scientific literature, thus establishing the following relevant features (1) Lung diseases, in particular COPD is a complex condition with higher incidence and prevalence in geriatric patients, characterized by high rates of disturbing symptoms, significant risk of cognitive, affective and functional decline, disease progression, frequent use of health care, extremely difficult treatment and increased mortality. (2) Atypical clinical presentation and confusion of comorbidities, limited use of spirometry and lack of clinical suspicion in primary care lead to underdiagnosis of COPD in the elderly population. (3) Spirometry is essential in the diagnostic procedure, but only through harmonization with other appropriate contemporary predictive diagnostic methods such as questionnaires and investigations, can prevent the overdiagnosis caused by normal aging of the lungs. (4) Acute exacerbations and comorbidities can cause diagnostic confusion, poorer therapeutic results, which confirms the need for early, complex diagnosis in order to maintain the sanogenic path of the elderly patient. (5) Clinico-paraclinical, diagnostic and therapeutic features validate the need for multidimensional evaluation and multidisciplinary intervention of geriatric COPD patients.

Highlights

(4) Острые обострения и сопутствующие заболевания могут вызвать диагностическую путаницу и ухудшить терапевтические результаты, что подтверждает необходимость ранней комплексной диагностики для сохранения саногенного пути пожилых людей
In order to elucidate the clinical features and diagnostic problems specific to geriatric patients, was studied the international scientific literature, establishing the following relevant features (1) Lung diseases, in particular COPD is a complex condition with higher incidence and prevalence in geriatric patients, characterized by high rates of disturbing symptoms, significant risk of cognitive, affective and functional decline, disease progression, frequent use of health care, extremely difficult treatment and increased mortality
(3) Spirometry is essential in the diagnostic procedure, but only through harmonization with other appropriate contemporary predictive diagnostic methods such as questionnaires and investigations, can prevent the overdiagnosis caused by normal aging of the lungs

Summary

Introduction

(4) Острые обострения и сопутствующие заболевания могут вызвать диагностическую путаницу и ухудшить терапевтические результаты, что подтверждает необходимость ранней комплексной диагностики для сохранения саногенного пути пожилых людей. Afecțiunile pulmonare sunt în continuă ascensiune în ultimele decenii la persoanele vârstnice, cu prezența bronhopneumopatiei obstructive cronice (BPOC) în topul acestora, fiind o cauză principală de morbiditate și mortalitate în rândul adulților vârstnici [3, 5, 6], mai ales când sunt asociate cu comorbidități precum tulburări afectiv-depresive, hipertensiunea arterială, insuficiența cardiacă și insuficiența renală cronică.

Results

Conclusion