A population survey of respiratory symptoms in the elderly

Reversible airways obstruction is not uncommon in the elderly, but may be overlooked because of the high prevalence of other disorders with a similar presentation. In a search for patterns of symptoms which might predict treatable airways obstruction, we carried out a survey of men and women aged 65 yrs and over. Postal questionnaires were completed by 2,161 subjects selected at random from the lists of three general practices. Almost 60% of the sample complained of one or more respiratory symptoms. Smoking was a more important risk factor than age, sex or social class, and was associated particularly with wheeze, morning phlegm and chest tightness on waking. Several groups of symptoms tended to cluster in the same individuals. The two most closely related were chest tightness and breathlessness in response to animals, dust and feathers. Responses to irritants tended to cluster according to the symptom produced (cough, breathlessness or wheeze) rather than the provoking stimulus (smoke, cold air, household chemicals or traffic fumes). There was no evidence for the existence of the "bronchial irritability syndrome" which has been linked with asthma in younger adults. The relationship of symptoms to respiratory function and bronchial reactivity will be reported in a further publication.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. A. Hardie, P. S. Bakke, and O. Morkve Non-response bias in a postal questionnaire survey on respiratory health in the old and very old Scand J Public Health, December 1, 2003; 31(6): 411 - 417. [Abstract] [PDF]

				T. Sandstrom, A.J. Frew, M. Svartengren, and G. Viegi The need for a focus on air pollution research in the elderly Eur. Respir. J., May 1, 2003; 21(40_suppl): 92S - 95s. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L Dow, L Fowler, L Phelps, K Waters, D Coggon, A L Kinmonth, and S T Holgate Prevalence of untreated asthma in a population sample of 6000 older adults in Bristol, UK Thorax, June 1, 2001; 56(6): 472 - 476. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				K. JONES Diagnosing airflow obstruction in general practice Thorax, December 1, 1999; 54(12): 1051 - 1052. [Full Text]

				L Dow, L Phelps, L Fowler, K Waters, D Coggon, and S T Holgate Respiratory symptoms in older people and use of domestic gas appliances Thorax, December 1, 1999; 54(12): 1104 - 1106. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				A. CROCKETT Screening older patients for obstructive airways disease Thorax, June 1, 1999; 54(6): 472 - 473. [Full Text]