Morbidity in older people with self-reported asthma.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the differences in physical and psychological morbidity in older people with and without self-reported asthma and whether these are associated with use of more medication and hospital services.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study of changes in health services for older people.


METHODS
South Wales in 1990 and 1992.


METHODS
A population-based random sample of 2818 people aged 65 years and over.


METHODS
Prevalence of self-reported asthma; assessment of disability, anxiety, depression and memory using standardized measures; mobility; use of prescribed medication and hospital services.


RESULTS
231 subjects with self-reported asthma were identified. The prevalence of asthma was 8%, which was not significantly different between the sexes (P = 0.88), age groups (P = 0.06) or social classes (P = 0.108). There was a significant relationship between asthma and functional and physical disability (severe disability 29% vs 16%, P < 0.0001), mobility (housebound 7% vs 4%, P < 0.05), anxiety (37% vs 20%, P < 0.0001), depression (19% vs 10%, P < 0.001), poor perceived health status (23% vs 9%, P < 0.0001), number of different medications (seven or more, 13% vs 4%, P < 0.0001) and inpatient (P < 0.0001) and outpatient (P < 0.05) use of hospital services.


CONCLUSIONS
There is excess psychological and physical morbidity and poorer perceived health status in older people with self-reported asthma.
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University Department of Geriatric Medicine, University of Wales College of Medicine, UK.
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D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D009017:Morbidity; D015995:Prevalence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires