Age Associated Changes In Pulmonary Function

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Contents 1 Introduction 2 More General Terms 3 Additional Terms 4 References

Introduction

• Pulmonary function declines with age
• decreased elasticity of lung parenchyma

• increased work of breathing
• enlarged alveolar ducts
• decreased alveolar surface area
• maximum inspiratory & expiratory pressures decrease

• decreased activity of cilia
• decreased vital capacity

• FEV1 decreases 30 mL/year
• FVC decreases similarly

• increased residual volume ( dead space)
• decreased DLCO 0.5%/year
• decreased maximum oxygen uptake ( VO2 max)
• decreased cough reflex, cough less effective
• increased airway reactivity
• diminished pO2

• secondary to V/Q mismatch
• worse in supine than sitting position
• estimate by eq: 100 - age/3 (90 yrs = 70 mm Hg)

• decreased response to hypoxia & hypercarbia
• increased pulmonary artery pressure
• muscles of respiration: decreased strength & endurance
• trachea & central airways increase in diameter
• decreased lung mass
• expansion of thorax
• chest wall stiffens

More General Terms

• age-related physiological changes

Additional Terms

• asthma in the elderly
• lung
• lung disease
• pulmonary
• pulmonary function test (PFT)

References

1. Essentials of Clinical Geriatrics, 4th ed, Kane RL et al (eds) McGraw Hill, NY, 1999
2. UCLA Intensive Course in Geriatric Medicine & Board Review, Marina Del Ray, CA, Sept 29-Oct 2, 2004
3. The Merck Manual of Geriatrics, 3rdh ed, Merck & Co, Rahway NJ, 2000
4. Taffet GE, Physiology of Aging, In: Geriatric Medicine: An Evidence-Based Approach, 4th ed, Cassel CK et al (eds), Springer-Verlag, New York, 2003

age-associated changes in pulmonary function