Quality of life in elderly subjects with a diagnostic label of asthma from general practice registers

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess health-related quality of life (QoL) in elderly subjects with a diagnostic label of asthma from a general practice population, and to determine the main contributory factors.Sixty people aged $70 yrs with a primary care diagnostic label of asthma, and 43 control subjects were recruited. Assessment of bronchodilator response, and oral steroid trials were conducted where possible. The main outcome measures were QoL scores for the Short Form (SF)-36 and the St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ).In the asthma group, 29 subjects demonstrated a significant airway response to bronchodilators or steroids. Mean SF-36 scores were significantly worse in the total asthma group for components of physical function, physical role limitation, and general health, although psychological scores were similar. QoL remained worse than controls in those subjects with a significant bronchodilator response. Dyspnoea and depression accounted for 61% of the variance in the SGRQ, but forced expiratory volume in one second was not an independent variable.Quality of life is impaired in elderly people with a diagnosis of asthma, including those with demonstrable airway variability. Many older subjects with asthma note a variety of symptoms, highlighting the need for further research into the adequacy and efficacy of their treatment. Eur Respir J 1999; 14: 39±45.

Negative Mood and Quality of Life in Patients with Asthma

“…An experimental study inducing stress under laboratory conditions in adults with asthma revealed a rapid and significant increase in respiratory symptoms immediately following exposure to stressful stimuli eliciting negative emotions [22]. Similarly, psychological status, i.e., depression, appears to be an important predictor of reduced QoL in both young and elderly asthmatics [23][24][25][26][27][28].…”

Psychological distress and associated risk factors in bronchial asthma patients in Kuwait

“…Previous studies showed either younger [12,13] or elderly [7] patients with asthma suffered from psychological depression. Adams et al [14] documented that psychological distress and decreased feelings are common in asthmatics.…”

Influência das variáveis biopsicossociais na qualidade de vida em asmáticos

“…Quanto à relevância do factor idade, esta tem sido salientada por outros autores. Nos indivíduos com asma brônquica de faixas etárias mais avançadas, a asma parece contribuir para a diminuição da sua qualidade de vida (Dyer, Hill, Stockely & Sinclair, 1999). Verifica-se a ocorrência de um conjunto de complicações físicas e psicológicas associadas (e.g., maior sintomatologia depressiva, maiores limitações das actividades diárias e um estado de saúde pobre) que dificultam o processo de gestão da doença (Enright, Mclelland, Newman, Gottlieb & Lebowitz, 1999).…”