Pulmonary capacity and respiratory patterns in older adults of the population of Apatug and Atahualpa Tungurahua-Ecuador.

Abstract

Introduction: Older adults living in the Andes are exposed to the effects of high-altitude adaptation and physiological changes caused by ageing. Objective: To assess lung capacity and respiratory patterns in older adults who reside at high altitudes.

Methodology: Explanatory study of experimental cutting. Two communities of the Ecuadorian Andes of different altitude were selected (Apatug and Atahualpa). Participated 50 adults with average age between 75.44 ± 6.23 (Apatug) and 75 ± 8.25 (ATAHUALPA) Inclusion criteria were native people older than 65 years. The exclusion criteria were the inability to understand the procedure of pathological tests and contraindications to perform the spirometric test. Spirometry was performed in accordance with the criteria of the American Thoracic Society (ATS).

Result: The results of the pulmonary capacity of the geriatric population of Apatug is 3.7 liters ± 0.6 and Atahualpa 5.4 liters ± 0.4. Older adults in Apatug obtained restrictive patterns (n = 20) and obstructive (n = 3). 12 participants with restrictive pattern were found in Atahualpa's parish. There is decreased saturation in Apatug, (85.16 ± 4.4) and blood pressure (107/30 mmHg). While saturation and blood pressure levels were normal in Atahualpa (91.6 ± 2.9 and 120/89 mmHg, respectively).

Conclusions: The geriatric population of Apatug presents low levels of pulmonary capacity and saturation in the blood. However, blood pressure is normal. In the town of Atahualpa there are normal levels of pulmonary capacity, saturation and blood pressure.