What reasons are older adults at greater risk for developing ARDS?

Older adults are at greater risk for developing Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) due to physiological changes associated with aging, one of which includes an increased chest diameter. As individuals age, various changes in the respiratory system occur, including alterations in lung structure and function. An increase in chest diameter can impact lung mechanics and lead to reduced efficiency of gas exchange during ventilation. This alteration may predispose older individuals to complications such as ARDS, especially following trauma, pneumonia, or sepsis.

While options like increased muscle strength, higher elastic tissue content, and decreased functional residual capacity may seem relevant, they do not directly contribute as significantly to the risk of ARDS development in older adults.

For instance, decreased functional residual capacity can indeed occur with age, leading to less available air in the lungs after expiration, which could contribute to impaired gas exchange; however, the increase in chest diameter plays a more direct role in the mechanical aspects of respiratory function. Understanding these physiological changes helps in assessing and managing risks for conditions like ARDS in the elderly population.