title: Effect of age on bronchodilator response in acute severe asthma treatment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was designed to evaluate the effects of age on bronchodilator response to salbutamol in patients with acute severe asthma in the emergency department.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-four sequential patients (mean age, 34.2+/-10.7 years) with acute asthma were enrolled in the trial. Using age as a major criterion, we divided the sample in two groups: the young one (age < or = 35 years, n=30) and the older (> 35 years, n=34). All patients were treated with salbutamol delivered with metered-dose inhaler into a spacer device, in a dose of four puffs every 10 min (100 microg per actuation) during 3 h.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean FEV1 improved significantly over baseline values for both groups (p=0.001). At final disposition, the mean percent of predicted FEV1 was 55.1+/-16.3% in the young group and 58.0+/-20.9% in the older group. There were no significant differences between both groups for FEV1 percent response at any point studied. A significant increase in heart rate over baseline was seen in the older group (p=0.001). Older patients also presented a higher incidence in nausea and tremor. Young and older patients with acute asthma achieved equivalent bronchodilation response to salbutamol.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We concluded that age is not a predictor of response to beta-agonists.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Emergencia, Hospital Central de las FF AA, Montevideo, Uruguay.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rodrigo
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rodrigo
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000420:Albuterol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004630:Emergencies; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000187:drug effects; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D000420:Albuterol