CLINICAL COMPARISON BETWEEN THE CONTROL LEVELS OF ASTHMA IN ELDERLY AND YOUNG ADULT ASTHMATICS. IS ASTHMA LESS CONTROLLED IN THE ELDERLY

Introduction: Recently published WHO data revealed an increase in asthma (AB) morbidity, even in elderly, a category of patients in whom asthma is under diagnosed and under treated, requiring a greater commitment in their evaluation. The aim of the study was to examine asthma in the elderly in comparison with young adults, to assess the clinical forms of disease and the association of co-morbidities, including allergic rhinitis (AR). Material and methods: 108 asthmatic patients were included, divided into two equal groups: group 1 (54 elderly, over 60 years) and group 2 (54 young adults); the two groups have been evaluated and compared in regard to the stage of disease, presence of atopy (allergic prick skin tests), best FEV1 at first diagnosis (spirometry), disease control after 3 months of treatment. Results: There was a higher addressability of women (64.8% in group 1 and 59.3% in group 2). The presence of atopy was lower in the elderly group (25.9%) and higher in young asthmatics (51.85%); AR was associated in 40.7% of elderly and in 35.2% of young asthmatics. A higher percentage of moderate, partially controlled forms of asthma was assessed in group 1 compared with group 2, and the moderate-severe forms were present only in elderly patients. Conclusions: Our data confirm the severity of asthma in the elderly and the predominance of medium/severe partially controlled forms; AR was strongly associated with AB in elderly and there was a poor disease control at 3 months compared with the young.