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KMID : 0882420080750020149
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Korean Journal of Medicine
2008 Volume.75 No. 2 p.149 ~ p.152
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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the older patient
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Lee Kwan-Ho
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Abstract
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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. (Korean J Med 75:149-152, 2008)
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KEYWORD
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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Elderly
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