Over 10% of the US population aged ≥75 years report having chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (Figure 1),1,2 and the primary treatment is inhaled medications administered with handheld devices or nebulizers.3 The physical and cognitive changes that are common in the elderly, particularly those aged ≥75 years, may interfere with the proper administration of inhaled therapies, resulting in insufficient dosing, jeopardizing health outcomes, reducing quality of life, and adding to the economic burden of COPD.4 This review examines the special challenges of inhaled therapy for COPD in older adults and emphasizes the need for personalized selection of treatment for each patient.
Figure 1
Figure 1
Prevalence of COPD among adults in the US by age group and gender from 2007 to 2009.1,2