title: Influence of Age on Outcome in Patients with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The development of effective orally administered medical therapy for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) has made a significant impact on outcome in patients with PAH. Identification of patient groups likely to derive optimal benefit is important, given cost and potential side effects; the clinical effectiveness of these therapies in older patients with PAH is unclear as the presence of co-morbidity may limit benefits of therapy.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We evaluated the epidemiology of PAH in a contemporary cohort to assess the influence of age on long-term outcome using PAH-specific therapies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 119 patients (88% female; mean age 65±12 years) were reviewed, comprising 52% with underlying connective tissue disease. Bosentan was the PAH specific agent most frequently used. The baseline 6MWT distance in the entire cohort was 304m with age associated with a significant decline in 6MWT.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In a large cohort of patients treated with PAH-specific therapies, patients less than 55 years of age showed improvement in 6MWT with older patients demonstrating stabilisation or decline.
authors: Cardiovascular Unit, John Hunter Hospital, New Lambton, NSW, 2305.
authors: Sreekanth
authors: S
authors: Kodur
authors: Cardiovascular Unit, John Hunter Hospital, New Lambton, NSW, 2305.
authors: Waheed
authors: W
authors: Ahmad
authors: Hunter Area Pathology Service, John Hunter Hospital, New Lambton, NSW, 2305.
authors: Melanie
authors: M
authors: Heittarachi
authors: Hunter Area Pathology Service, John Hunter Hospital, New Lambton, NSW, 2305.
authors: Glenn
authors: G
authors: Reeves
authors: School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308.
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Attia
authors: School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308.
authors: Daniel
authors: D
authors: Barker
authors: Cardiovascular Unit, John Hunter Hospital, New Lambton, NSW, 2305.
authors: Nicholas
authors: N
authors: Collins
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
keywords: Cardiac transplant; Endothelin receptor antagonist; Phosphodiesterase inhibitor; Pulmonary arterial hypertension; Right heart failure