Understanding of diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in aged patients

ObjectiveTo explore relevant clinical features of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in aged patients.Methods265 aged patients were divided into two groups:COPD group（according to pulmonary function）and control group.Those with COPD were further divided into two groups:mild group and moderate or severe group.Clinical features of both groups were investigated.ResultsCommon clinical features of COPD included history of smoking,chronic cough or gasp,history of chronic bronchitis,and history of treatment of chronic respiratory tract disorder and acute respiratory tract infection.Their incidence is significantly higher in COPD group than that in control group.No statistical differences were found between the two groups with regard to the incidence of abnormal X-ray chest examination and other heart and lung diseases.The incidence of all the clinical features in moderate or severe group was higher than in mild group,except for other heart and lung diseases.ConclusionAbnormal X-ray chest examination and other heart and lung diseases in elderly patients should not be considered as the primary clinical manifestations of COPD,but clinical features contribute to the diagnosis of patients with moderate or severe COPD.