The relationship between patient age and sensitivity to known risk factors for asthma attacks

OBJECTIVE: The characteristics of patients hospitalised for an asthma attack were evaluated to delineate the impact of age on sensitivity to risk factors for this condition. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eighty patients hospitalised for an asthma attack were included in this cross-sectional study. Patients were divided into two age groups; younger than 65-years-old (52.5±7.6 years, n=36) and older than 65-years-old (72.5±5.2 years, n=44). A questionnaire was used to collect data on demographics, initial age and duration of asthma, atopy, atopic diseases, drug and food allergies, additional diseases, treatments during the previous 1 and 3 months, cause of attacks, duration of hospital stay, number of emergency visits and hospitalisation due to asthma over the last year, and all past hospital stays. Pulmonary function tests were performed upon admittance and discharge, and parameters of arterial blood gases were recorded. RESULTS: The severity of asthma attacks was greater in the older cohort of patients with risk factors including osteoporosis, positive skin test for mould, or theophylline use in the previous month. Independent of these variables, the severity of attacks was greater in patients over the age of 65. Irregular treatments in both age groups were noted over the previous one and three months. CONCLUSION: Theophylline use, mould sensitivity and biomass exposure in elderly patients with asthma should be questioned more carefully and protective measures taken to avoid these risks in keeping with the recommended guidelines. © 2013 by Turkish Thoracic Society.