Open AccessContemporary diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the elderly
Author(s) -
Ecaterina Luca,
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Nicolae Bodrug,
Valentin Calancea,
Catalina Ursu,
Cezar Zagorneanu,
Elmira Antoci,
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Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
buletinul academiei de ştiinţe a moldovei: ştiinţe medicale
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1857-0011
DOI - 10.52692/1857-0011.2021.3-71.32
Subject(s) - medicine , overdiagnosis , copd , intensive care medicine , disease , spirometry , population , comorbidity , pediatrics , asthma , environmental health
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.