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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in the Older Adult
Matthew F Griffith1, Lisa I Ruvuna2
1Medicine Service, Pulmonary Section, Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center; Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.
Abstract:
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is common among older adults due to occupational/environmental exposures, infections, and/or tobacco use. Dyspnea, cough, and sleep disturbance are symptoms of both COPD and other chronic conditions, which could lead to misdiagnosis. Functional and cognitive limitations could limit the accuracy of assessment tools recommended to differentiate these conditions and estimate COPD severity. Delivery of inhaled medications is a challenge for many older adults, making selection of delivery device nearly as important as the choice of medication itself. Nonpharmacologic therapies and palliative care play important roles in the care of the older adult with COPD.
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