Asma e rinite no idoso - Estudo epidemiológico nacional

Introduction: Asthma and rhinitis are frequent respiratory diseases in both children and adults. However, nationwide epidemiologic studies addressing these diseases in the elderly do not exist. Aims: To estimate the prevalence of physician-diagnosed asthma, rhinitis and rhinoconjunctivitis in the population aged 65 years or above in mainland Portugal and to evaluate its association in this age group. Methods: Cross-sectional, nationwide, population-based survey of citizens aged 65 years or above, living in mainland Portugal. Results: Data were obtained from 3678 respondents. The prevalence of physician-diagnosed asthma, rhinitis and rhinoconjunctivitis was 10.9% (95% confidence interval (95%CI) 9.9-11.9); 29.8% (95%CI 28.4-31.3) and 20.5% (95%CI 19.2-21.8), respectively. A strong association between asthma and rhinitis was found (odds ratio 13.86 (95%CI 10.66-18.02)). The risk for asthma increased with persistency and severity of rhinitis. Conclusions: Asthma, rhinitis and rhinoconjunctivitis are common and strongly associated diseases in the elderly. This study strengthens the need for an integrated assessment of asthma and rhinitis also in this age group.