title: The use of bronchodilators in the treatment of airway obstruction in elderly patients.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: 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
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bellia
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Battaglia
authors.forename: Maria Gabriella
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Matera
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cazzola
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists; D014970:Xanthines; C008514:methylxanthine