Characteristics of older adult hospitalized patients with bronchial asthma: a retrospective study

Abstract

Background Bronchial asthma is a chronic inflammation of the airways. Older adult patients with bronchial asthma are defined as patients older than 65 and with a previous or current clear diagnosis of asthma. The purpose of this study was to determine the characteristics of older adult hospitalized patients with bronchial asthma. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the data from patients with bronchial asthma admitted to the General Hospital of the Northern Theater Command from September 2018 to January 2020. We divided them into the older adult (≥ 65 years) and the younger (< 65 years) groups. We compared the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of the two groups. Results There were 181 inpatients with bronchial asthma, including 41 older adult patients, accounting for 22.7%. There were significant differences in age, sex, smoking, duration of disease, age at diagnosis of asthma, hospital stays, hospitalization costs, number of acute attacks 1 year before admission, number of hospitalizations in our hospital one year before admission, asthma control test score, forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), FEV1/FVC, the severity of acute attacks, comorbidities, and inhaled corticosteroid dose between the two groups. There were many older adult patients with asthma (mostly late-onset asthma). The hospitalization costs were high. Most patients had many comorbidities, poor asthma control, severe attack, and heavy economic burdens. Conclusion Attention should be focused on achieving asthma control in older adult patients to improve their quality of life and reduce their economic burdens.

Studying the Causes of Acute Asthma Attacks at Damascus Hospital, Treatment, Hospitalization, and Deaths

“…Most of the patients in our study were within the age group greater than 40 years with a percentage of 62.9%, and this is similar to the results of the study conducted in China, where 77.3% of the sample had them over 40 years. [22] Bronchial asthma can be divided into early onset (< 40 years) and late onset (≥ 40 years). Older adults had more delayed-onset bronchial asthma than younger adults.…”

Asthma Care in the Elderly: Practical Guidance and Challenges for Clinical Management - A Framework of 5 “Ps”

“…Asthma in the elderly contributes to diminished quality of life (QOL), characterized by limited activities, the loss of the ability to function independently, and social isolation. 10 Uncontrolled asthma progression diminishes QOL, limits daily activities and restricts the independence and social well-being of the elderly. 20 These sequelae can then contribute to repeated hospitalization, which is further associated with the deteriorated condition, making treatment more difficult in a vicious cycle.…”

“… 20 These sequelae can then contribute to repeated hospitalization, which is further associated with the deteriorated condition, making treatment more difficult in a vicious cycle. 10 Moreover, the deleterious effects of uncontrolled asthma in the elderly patient should include an evaluation of mental health as these patients report symptoms of depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.…”

“…The prevalence of asthma in the elderly is reportedly higher in women. 10 Mortality from asthma steadily rises with advancing age. 2 , 11 In a large retrospective cohort study of emergency department visits, older asthmatic patients above age 55 had a 5-fold higher risk of overall mortality than younger adults.…”

Winds of change a tale of: asthma and microbiome

“…However, it is known that reversible obstruction, hyperresponsiveness, and chronic airway inflammation are representative features of this disease. The deterioration of the immune system, systemic inflammation, impaired lung function, different phenotypes, airway remodeling, comorbidities and late onset of this disease complicate its investigation and treatment ( Zhang and Huang, 2021 ). Allergens, tobacco, pollution, and diet are also directly involved in the development of the disease.…”