[Clinical and functional features of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in elderly patients in the Rostov region.].

The study showed the presence of COPD clinical and functional features in elderly patients. Among the statistically significant features, one should highlight the high incidence of COPD (49,7% of the total number of elderly examined) in combination with the shortest duration of the disease in the group of people who have never smoked; the greatest degree of airflow restriction, the maximum severity of pulmonary hypertension and hypoxemia, along with the highest frequency and severity of exacerbations of the underlying disease in the group of patients with COPD, indicating the presence of occupational hazards in the history; the minimum pronounced decrease in quality of life indicators in the group of smokers in combination with an earlier onset of the underlying disease (in comparison with non-smoking patients of the same age). The revealed features can be informative in the diagnosis, treatment, prognosis of the underlying disease and the development of more effective methods of prevention and rehabilitation.