K H Lee1, N K Chin, T K Lim. 1. Respiratory Division, Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119074, Republic of Singapore. mdclimtk@mus.sg
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine the severity of asthma in the elderly compared to the younger asthmatics. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: University outpatient asthma clinic. SUBJECTS: Asthmatics seen over a 6 month period in 1997. RESULTS: There were 154 patients and 16% were elderly (> 65 years) asthmatics. The elderly asthmatics were on significantly more anti-asthmatic medications (2.3 +/- 1.1 vs. 1.6 +/- 0.9, p < 0.001), and their clinical severity was significantly worse than their younger counterparts (Step 2.2 +/- 1.2 vs. 1.7 +/- 1.0, p < 0.001). Near-fatal asthma episodes were also more common in the elderly asthmatics (39% vs 13%, chi 2 test p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Elderly asthmatics appear to have more severe asthma as evidenced by the increase in near-fatal episodes, and their increased clinical severity.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the severity of asthma in the elderly compared to the younger asthmatics. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: University outpatientasthma clinic. SUBJECTS: Asthmatics seen over a 6 month period in 1997. RESULTS: There were 154 patients and 16% were elderly (> 65 years) asthmatics. The elderly asthmatics were on significantly more anti-asthmatic medications (2.3 +/- 1.1 vs. 1.6 +/- 0.9, p < 0.001), and their clinical severity was significantly worse than their younger counterparts (Step 2.2 +/- 1.2 vs. 1.7 +/- 1.0, p < 0.001). Near-fatal asthma episodes were also more common in the elderly asthmatics (39% vs 13%, chi 2 test p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Elderly asthmatics appear to have more severe asthma as evidenced by the increase in near-fatal episodes, and their increased clinical severity.
Authors: Shoroq M Altawalbeh; Carolyn T Thorpe; Janice C Zgibor; Sandra Kane-Gill; Yihuang Kang; Joshua M Thorpe Journal: J Manag Care Spec Pharm Date: 2018-05