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Bronchiectasis in Older Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Prevalence, Diagnosis and Therapeutic Management

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Abstract

The prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) increases with age. Recent evidence suggests that the finding of co-existent bronchiectasis is becoming increasingly common, possibly because of increased use of high-resolution CT scanning in the assessment of patients with COPD. This may represent a distinct phenotype of COPD, but, nevertheless, it is likely to pose an increased burden to health services and challenges in determining the correct management of these patients. Here, we review the factors associated with bronchiectasis in older patients with COPD and the evidence for many of the therapies currently used in the treatment of patients, providing a rational approach to their management.

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Acknowledgments

Dr. Whitters is the main author of the manuscript. Professor Stockley contributed to the writing and review of the manuscript.

Conflicts of interest and funding

Dr. Whitters has no disclosures. Professor Stockley has acted as an advisor to several pharmaceutical companies including GSK, AZ, Almirall, Novartis, Schering Plough, Boehringer Ingelheim, Pfizer, MSD, Baxter Biologicals, CSL Behring and Grifols. He has lectured on COPD and received fees from Takeda, GSK, Pfizer, AZ and Grifols and received travel funding to attend international meetings from Boehringer, GSK and Grifols. He has received unconditional research funding from AZ, GSK and Grifols.

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  1. Department of Lung Function and Sleep, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Mindelsohn Way, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2WB, UK

    Deborah Whitters & Robert A. Stockley

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  1. Deborah Whitters
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Correspondence to Robert A. Stockley.

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Whitters, D., Stockley, R.A. Bronchiectasis in Older Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Drugs Aging 30, 215–225 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40266-013-0053-4

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