Lung hyperinflation - a prognostically significant marker in geriatric patients

Abstract

Lung hyperinflation is a common finding in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) observed via plain radiograph. Among people older than 65 years, the risk of developing COPD increases five times compared to 40 year olds (Easter M. et al., 2020). In addition, hyperinflation may be found in patients with the Tiffeneau index > 0,7. In most cases, this radiological finding is not given due attention, therefore further diagnosis and treatment is either delayed or insufficiently carried out.