SUMMARY
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate chronological age is a limiting factor to perform bronchodilator test, to determine significant adverse effects that may have clinical repercussions of short-acting beta 2 agonists and to assess the bronchodilator response in fourth age patients who submit the spirometry test.
METHODS
Cross-sectional and retrospective study. The sample extracted from the database (spirometer and respiratory questionnaire) of a pulmonary function service. Patients over 87 years were included in the research and were evaluated the bronchodilator response and significant adverse effects which may occasion clinical repercussion related to bronchodilator.
RESULTS
A sample of 75 patients aged 89.34 ± 0,29 years (95% CI, 88,74 – 89,94), minimum age of 87 years and maximum of 97 years, predominance of female with 58,7% (44/75). The bronchodilator test was performed in 86.6% (65/75) of the patients. The bronchodilator response was evaluated in 63 of the 65 patients (96.92%) who underwent the bronchodilator test. The bronchodilator response was significant in 20.63% (13/63) of the patients. No clinical adverse effects were observed with bronchodilator medication (salbutamol) during or after exam.
CONCLUSIONS
Chronological age is not a limiting factor for the bronchodilator test, short-acting beta-2 agonists did not present adverse effects with significant clinical repercussion and were useful to help in diagnosis and therapeutic guidance in the fourth age group.
KEYWORDS:
Bronchodilator agents; aged; aging; respiratory function tests; Spirometry; longevity
