Abstract:

ＯｂｊｅｃｔｉｖｅTo investigate the clinical manifestations in exercise pulmonary function test of the elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD).
ＭｅｔｈｏｄｓTwentytwo patients with stable COPD were divided into two groups，elderly group and control group. All patients underwent spirometry and exercise pulmonary function test.
ＲｅｓｕｌｔｓThere were no significant differences in resting spirometric parameters between two groups(P＞005). The maximal rate of work, maximal oxygen uptake, the maximal volume of ventilation per minute were lower in elderly group than those in control group(P＜005), but the maximal dead space/tidal volume ratio was higher in elderly group than that in control group(P＜005).
ＣｏｎｃｌｕｓｉｏｎｓExercise pulmonary function test is safe for the elderly patients with COPD.It can reflect exercise tolerance of patients and the change of ventilation during exercise.

Key words: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary function, exercise test, aged