The use of bronchodilators in the treatment of airway obstruction in elderly patients.
Ageing is associated with important anatomical, physiological and psychosocial changes that may have an impact on the management of obstructive airway diseases (asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)) and on their optimal therapy. Ageing-related modifications might be responsible for a different effectiveness of bronchodilators in the elderly patients as compared to younger subjects. Furthermore, the physiological involution of organs and the frequent comorbidity, often interfere with pharmacokinetics of bronchodilator drugs used in asthma and COPD. This review will focus on the use of bronchodilators in the elderly, with particular attention to the achievable goals and to rationale, utility and pitfalls in using the inhalation therapy in this age group. beta(2)-agonists, anticholinergics and methylxanthines will be discussed and their side effects in the elderly will be considered.
Bellia
Vincenzo
V
Istituto di Medicina Generale e Pneumologia, Cattedra di Malattie dell'Apparato Respiratorio, Università di Palermo, C/o Ospedale V. Cervello, Via Trabucco 180, 90146 Palermo, Italy. v.bellia@unipa.it
Battaglia
Salvatore
S
Matera
Maria Gabriella
MG
Cazzola
Mario
M
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000368:Aged; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D014970:Xanthines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists; D014970:Xanthines; C008514:methylxanthine