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Infectious Bronchial Asthma More Frequent In Elderly Asthmatics
A DGReview of :"Questionnaire-based characterization of bronchial asthma in the elderly: Analysis in Niigata Prefecture, Japan"
Allergology International
12/06/2002
By Elda Hauschildt
There is a greater frequency of infectious and mixed-type bronchial allergy among older asthmatics, Japanese researchers have found.
At the same time, they say, use of peak flow meters is lower among asthmatics older than 65 years of age.
Investigators from Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences and the Niigata Asthma Treatment Study Group in Niigata surveyed 3,224 asthmatic patients in the prefecture to investigate characteristics, management and circumstances of elderly asthmatics.
They point out that as the mean lifespan increases, the percentage of elderly in the population also increases, making management of asthma in the elderly an important future medical issue.
Asthmatics older than 65 years of age were compared with those younger than 64 years. Significant differences were seen in both self-evaluation of the condition and satisfaction with daily life. Older patients had a lower incidence of ambulance, emergency room and inhaled steroid use. Their incidence of hospitalisation and use of oral steroids was higher, however.
"The discrepancy between objective and subjective evaluation of asthma control, incidence of use of both inhaled and oral steroids and the low use of peak flow meters were problematic in the elderly," the investigators report.
They suggest that patient education and careful management of asthma are required among elderly asthmatics.
Allergology International, 2002; 51: 241-248.
"Questionnaire-based characterization of bronchial asthma in the elderly: Analysis in Niigata Prefecture, Japan"
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