Respiratory medicine
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Respiratory medicine · Jun 2007
Outcome of non-invasive domiciliary ventilation in elderly patients.
To analyze the short- and long-term effects of domiciliary non-invasive ventilation (NIV) in the elderly. ⋯ NIV is an effective treatment in the elderly. It improves arterial blood gases and nocturnal desaturations, decreases hospital admissions and is associated with long survival. So advanced age should not be considered as an exclusion criteria to prescribe NIV.
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Respiratory medicine · Jun 2007
Bronchodilator response to adrenergic beta2-agonists: relationship to symptoms in an adult community.
Wheeze and chest tightness has traditionally been associated with enhanced bronchial responsiveness. However, no community studies are available on the associations between bronchodilator response and respiratory symptoms among adults. ⋯ A small fraction of adults in a general population has bronchodilatation after salbutamol inhalation. "Wheezing without cold", "dyspnoea climbing two flights of stairs", and "morning cough" predict an increased bronchodilator response among subjects without current anti-asthmatic medications.
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Respiratory medicine · Jun 2007
Lung function testing in the elderly--can we still use FEV1/FVC<70% as a criterion of COPD?
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can be diagnosed when the FEV(1)/FVC ratio is below 70%, according to global initiative for chronic obstructive lung disease (GOLD). COPD is known as a disease which is frequently under-diagnosed. However, there is a risk of over diagnosis when this diagnostic threshold is applied among the elderly. ⋯ Adjustments of the GOLD criteria for diagnosing COPD are needed, and FEV(1)/FVC ratios down to 65% should be regarded as normal when aged 70 years and older.