Title | Prevalence and correlates of respiratory symptoms and disease in the elderly. Cardiovascular Health Study. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 1994 |
Authors | Enright, PL, Kronmal, RA, Higgins, MW, Schenker, MB, Haponik, EF |
Journal | Chest |
Volume | 106 |
Issue | 3 |
Pagination | 827-34 |
Date Published | 1994 Sep |
ISSN | 0012-3692 |
Keywords | Aged, Aged, 80 and over, California, Cohort Studies, Female, Humans, Lung Diseases, Male, Maryland, Multivariate Analysis, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Prevalence, Prognosis, Respiratory Tract Diseases, Spirometry, Surveys and Questionnaires |
Abstract | <p>Spirometry was performed by 5,201 elderly participants of the Cardiovascular Health Study during their baseline examination and a subset of the ATS/DLD-78 respiratory questionnaire was administered by trained interviewers. In never smokers (46 percent of the cohort), the overall prevalence of chronic cough was 9 percent, chronic phlegm was 13 percent, attacks of wheezing with dyspnea were 8 percent, and grade 3 dyspnea on exertion was 10 percent. The prevalence of lung disease in current smokers (12 percent of the cohort) was 8/7 percent (men/women) with chronic bronchitis and 14/5 percent with emphysema. Overall, 6 percent reported asthma (a physician-confirmed history) and 12 percent reported hay fever. Using a logistic regression model, attacks of wheezing with dyspnea were strongly associated with a lower FEV1, coronary heart disease, heart failure, and a large waist size (in participants without a diagnosis of asthma, chronic bronchitis, or emphysema). Undiagnosed airways obstruction was twice as likely in women and those with lower income, and was associated with current and former smoking, pack-years of smoking, and chronic cough. Dyspnea on exertion (DOE) was three times or more likely if a participant reported heart failure, coronary heart disease, or emphysema; and much more likely if their FEV1 or FVC was substantially reduced. Dyspnea on exertion was also positively associated with older age, chronic bronchitis or asthma, a larger waist or hip size, pack-years of smoking, and less education. We conclude that DOE and attacks of wheezing with dyspnea are commonly associated with cardiovascular disease and a low FEV1 in those over 65 years and that airways obstruction frequently remains undiagnosed in the elderly.</p> |
Alternate Journal | Chest |
PubMed ID | 8082366 |
Grant List | N01-87079 / / PHS HHS / United States N01-87086 / / PHS HHS / United States |