Hello friends...Is there someone that can explain why the FEV1/FVC ratio in old age decreases? I always thought old age increases elastance of the pulmonary system (like in the vessels) but how come the FEV1/FVC ratio is not more like a restrictive lung disease (increased)?
radman i guess that it is INCrease COMPLIANCE and decrease elastance.
In old age FEV1 decreases and it is due to general decrease in lung function as part of ageing rather than explanation by compliance or elasticity.
so the ratio decreases too.
in old age its obstructive type of pattern
dec elasticity b/c of reduced rocoil on expiration, dec FEV1, dec FVC, inc TLC and RV.
Mild hypoxemia