Dyspnoea in elderly subjects caused by respiratory diseases

Czech version

Authors: M. Doubková; J. Skřičková
Authors‘ workplace: Přednosta: prof. MUDr. Jana Skřičková, CSc. ; Klinika nemocí plicních a tuberkulózy LF Masarykovy univerzity a FN Brno
Published in: Prakt. Lék. 2010; 90(10): 589-592
Category: Reviews

Overview

Dyspnoea is a common and important symptom, not only caused by respiratory diseases. Dyspnoea is a subjective experience of absence of breathing. It arises when the respiratory system cannot fully function. Differential diagnosis of dyspnoea is extensive; we have to distinguish

– the respiratory cause of dyspnoea (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma, pneumonia, pneumothorax, tumor, pleural effusion, interstitial lung diseases),

– cardiovascular cause (heart attack, ischemic heart disease, arrhythmia, heart failure, lung embolism), and

– other causes (otorhinolaryngology causes, metabolic acidosis, infection of central nervous system, anemia, psychogenic dyspnoea).

In elderly patients suffering from many diseases, dyspnoea is particularly caused by a combination of factors. In this situation we have to choose an interdisciplinary approach to patients. Treatment and prognosis depends on the nature of the disease causing dyspnoea.

Key words:
dyspnoea, elderly, etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, complication, therapy, prognosis.

Sources

1. Abernethy, A.P., Wheeler, J.L., Currow, D.C. Common approach to dyspnoea management in advanced life-limiting illness. Curr. Opin. Support. Pallia. Care 2010, 4(2), p. 53-55.

2. American Thoracic Society: Dyspnea. Mechanisms, assessment, and management: a concensus statement. Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. 1999, 159(1), p. 321-340.

2. Brutto, R.R., Zampa, C.C, de Oliveira, T.A. Effects of the aging process on respiratory function. Gerontology 2009, 55(5), p. 505-510.

3. Fletcher, C.M., Elmes, P.C., Fairbairn, M.B. et al. The significance of respiratory symptoms and the diagnosis of chronic bronchitis in a working population. Br. Med. J. 1959, 2, p. 257-266.

4. http://www.uzis.cz./ ÚZIS ČR (Ústav zdravotnických informací a statistiky ČR). Navštíveno dne 15. 4. 2010.

5. http://svod.cz./ Zdroj dat ÚZIS ČR. Navštíveno dne 14. 4. 2010.

6. Mahler, D.A., Selecky, P.A., Harrod, C.G. American college of chest physicians consensus statement on the management of dyspnoe in patient with advanced lung or heart disease. Chest 2010, 137(3), p. 674–691.

7. Mahler, D.A., Sierro-Carrion, G., Baier, J.C. Evaluation of dyspnoea in the elderly. Clin. Geriatr. Med. 2003, 19(1), p.19-33.

8. Musil, J., Petřík, F. (Eds). Pneumologie – příručka pro praktické lékaře. 1. vydání Praha: Galén 2000, s. 23-24.

9. Teřl, M., Krákorová, G., Pešek, M. Plicní lékařství. 1. vydání Praha: Karolinum, 2004, s. 57-58.

10. The Criteria Committee of the New York Heart Association. Nomenclature and Criteria for Diagnosis of Diseases of the Heart and Great Vessels. 9th ed. Boston, Mass: Little, Brown § Co, 1994, p. 253-256.

11. Xue, D., Abernethy, A.P. Curr. Opin. Support. Pallia. Care. 2010, 4(2), p. 85-91.