The threshold for sensing airflow resistance during tidal breathing rises in old age: Implications for elderly patients with obstructive airways diseases

Authors: Allen, S.C., Vassallo, M. and Khattab, A.

Journal: Age and Ageing

Volume: 38

Issue: 5

Pages: 548-552

eISSN: 1468-2834

ISSN: 0002-0729

DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afp110

Abstract:

Objective: to determine whether the ability of elderly subjects to detect a rise in airflow resistance is attenuated in old age, and to measure the magnitude and variability of such a change. Methods: we studied 124 healthy adults aged 20-86 years. Progressive external airflow resistance loading was used to measure the inspiratory and expiratory load detection thresholds (LDTs) during tidal breathing at rest. Results: the mean inspiratory LDT rose from 4.00 (3.06 SD) kPa.s/L in the 20-39 age group to 6.51 (6.20) in the 40-64 age group (NS) and 29.10 (13.58) in the 65 + age group (P < 0.00001). The inspiratory LDT was significantly correlated with age, mainly due to the higher thresholds in people over the age of 65 (r = 0.7860, P < 0.00001), but did not correlate with age-corrected forced vital capacity or respiratory rate. Expiratory LDT values and correlations were very similar. Day-to-day variability in LDTs tended to be higher in older subjects. Conclusion: the threshold for detecting external resistive loads during tidal breathing rises in old age. This appears to be a consequence of ageing processes rather than pathology, and might be a manifestation of a fall in proprioceptive acuity in elderly people. This finding has clinical implications for the self-management of asthma in old age. There is a need to conduct a similar study in patients with airways disease. © The Author 2009. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Geriatrics Society. All rights reserved.

Source: Scopus

The threshold for sensing airflow resistance during tidal breathing rises in old age: implications for elderly patients with obstructive airways diseases.

Authors: Allen, S.C., Vassallo, M. and Khattab, A.

Journal: Age Ageing

Volume: 38

Issue: 5

Pages: 548-552

eISSN: 1468-2834

DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afp110

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: to determine whether the ability of elderly subjects to detect a rise in airflow resistance is attenuated in old age, and to measure the magnitude and variability of such a change. METHODS: we studied 124 healthy adults aged 20-86 years. Progressive external airflow resistance loading was used to measure the inspiratory and expiratory load detection thresholds (LDTs) during tidal breathing at rest. RESULTS: the mean inspiratory LDT rose from 4.00 (3.06 SD) kPa.s/L in the 20-39 age group to 6.51 (6.20) in the 40-64 age group (NS) and 29.10 (13.58) in the 65 + age group (P < 0.00001). The inspiratory LDT was significantly correlated with age, mainly due to the higher thresholds in people over the age of 65 (r = 0.7860, P < 0.00001), but did not correlate with age-corrected forced vital capacity or respiratory rate. Expiratory LDT values and correlations were very similar. Day-to-day variability in LDTs tended to be higher in older subjects. CONCLUSION: the threshold for detecting external resistive loads during tidal breathing rises in old age. This appears to be a consequence of ageing processes rather than pathology, and might be a manifestation of a fall in proprioceptive acuity in elderly people. This finding has clinical implications for the self-management of asthma in old age. There is a need to conduct a similar study in patients with airways disease.

Source: PubMed

The threshold for sensing airflow resistance during tidal breathing rises in old age: implications for elderly patients with obstructive airways diseases

Authors: Allen, S.C., Vassallo, M. and Khattab, A.

Journal: AGE AND AGEING

Volume: 38

Issue: 5

Pages: 548-552

eISSN: 1468-2834

ISSN: 0002-0729

DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afp110

Source: Web of Science (Lite)

The threshold for sensing airflow resistance during tidal breathing rises in old age: implications for elderly patients with obstructive airways diseases

Authors: Allen, S.C., Vassallo, M. and Khattab, A.D.

Journal: Age and Ageing

Volume: 38

Pages: 548

ISSN: 0002-0729

DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afp110

Abstract:

Objective: to determine whether the ability of elderly subjects to detect a rise in airflow resistance is attenuated in old age, and to measure the magnitude and variability of such a change.

Methods: we studied 124 healthy adults aged 20–86 years. Progressive external airflow resistance loading was used to measure the inspiratory and expiratory load detection thresholds (LDTs) during tidal breathing at rest.

Results: the mean inspiratory LDT rose from 4.00 (3.06 SD) kPa.s/L in the 20–39 age group to 6.51 (6.20) in the 40–64 age group (NS) and 29.10 (13.58) in the 65 + age group (P < 0.00001). The inspiratory LDT was significantly correlated with age, mainly due to the higher thresholds in people over the age of 65 (r = 0.7860, P < 0.00001), but did not correlate with age-corrected forced vital capacity or respiratory rate. Expiratory LDT values and correlations were very similar. Day-to-day variability in LDTs tended to be higher in older subjects.

Conclusion: the threshold for detecting external resistive loads during tidal breathing rises in old age. This appears to be a consequence of ageing processes rather than pathology, and might be a manifestation of a fall in proprioceptive acuity in elderly people. This finding has clinical implications for the self-management of asthma in old age. There is a need to conduct a similar study in patients with airways disease.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afp110

Source: Manual

Preferred by: Ahmed Khattab and Stephen Allen

The threshold for sensing airflow resistance during tidal breathing rises in old age: implications for elderly patients with obstructive airways diseases.

Authors: Allen, S.C., Vassallo, M. and Khattab, A.

Journal: Age and ageing

Volume: 38

Issue: 5

Pages: 548-552

eISSN: 1468-2834

ISSN: 0002-0729

DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afp110

Abstract:

Objective

to determine whether the ability of elderly subjects to detect a rise in airflow resistance is attenuated in old age, and to measure the magnitude and variability of such a change.

Methods

we studied 124 healthy adults aged 20-86 years. Progressive external airflow resistance loading was used to measure the inspiratory and expiratory load detection thresholds (LDTs) during tidal breathing at rest.

Results

the mean inspiratory LDT rose from 4.00 (3.06 SD) kPa.s/L in the 20-39 age group to 6.51 (6.20) in the 40-64 age group (NS) and 29.10 (13.58) in the 65 + age group (P < 0.00001). The inspiratory LDT was significantly correlated with age, mainly due to the higher thresholds in people over the age of 65 (r = 0.7860, P < 0.00001), but did not correlate with age-corrected forced vital capacity or respiratory rate. Expiratory LDT values and correlations were very similar. Day-to-day variability in LDTs tended to be higher in older subjects.

Conclusion

the threshold for detecting external resistive loads during tidal breathing rises in old age. This appears to be a consequence of ageing processes rather than pathology, and might be a manifestation of a fall in proprioceptive acuity in elderly people. This finding has clinical implications for the self-management of asthma in old age. There is a need to conduct a similar study in patients with airways disease.

Source: Europe PubMed Central