Elderly asthmatic patients have worse disease control compared with young adult asthmatics

2 million U.S. citizens older than 65 years have asthma. This study from Detroit, Michigan compared asthma control in elderly (≥65 years old) and young adult (18-64 years old) populations.

Elderly patients with asthma had a lower income, were less educated, were more obese, were more insured, had less indoor exposure, and were more likely to be former smokers.

They were less educated about asthma attack interventions and asthma action plans.

Elderly patients had worse control of asthma based on short-term measures (daytime symptoms in the previous month) [odds ratio (OR), 1.7], and long-term measures (activity limitation in the previous year [OR, 1.5].

Older asthmatic patients have a 5-fold increased risk of mortality compared with younger adults. JACI, 2012.

References:

Effect of age on asthma control: results from the National Asthma Survey. Talreja N, Baptist AP.
Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2011 Jan;106(1):24-9.

Allergic diseases in the elderly http://goo.gl/pBLcf -  "Immunosenescence" features http://goo.gl/8NQ9D

Older asthmatic patients have a 5-fold increased risk of mortality compared with younger adults. JACI, 2012.

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