Abstract
Introduction:
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can be diagnosed when the FEV1/FVC ratio is below 70%, according to Global initiative for chronic obstructive lung disease. However, there is a risk of over-diagnosis when this diagnostic threshold is applied among the elderly.
Aims:
T o contribute to the discussion about the criteria for diagnosing COPD, by describing the lung function in a population aged 60 years or more, and in particular the changes in the mean and 5% percentile of the FEV1/FVC ratio with increasing age.
Subjects and methods:
A cross sectional population based study was performed in the city of TromsØ, Norway, in 2001–2002. Spirometry was done in 4102 people 60 years and older (54.6% women).
Results:
A drop in FEV1% predicted and FEV1/FVC ratio associated with smoking and increasing age was found. The frequency of FEV1/FVC ratio <70% increased steeply by increasing age and was about 20% in never smoking women and men aged 75 years and more. The 5% percentile of the FEV1/FVC ratio dropped more rapidly by increasing age in healthy never smokers than could be expected from currently used reference values.
Conclusions:
Adjustments of the GOLD criteria for diagnosing COPD are needed, and FEV1/FVC ratios down to 65 and 60 % should be regarded as normal when aged 70 and 80 years or more, respectively.
Conflict of interest and funding
There are no conflicts of interest.
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Medbø, A., Melbye, H. ABS46: Lung function testing in the elderly — can we still use FEV1/FVC <70% as a criterion of COPD?. Prim Care Respir J 15, 197 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pcrj.2006.04.141
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pcrj.2006.04.141