A substantial proportion of elderly Americans with asthma are not being properly diagnosed and treated, according to a new study.
In last month's Chest, researchers from Boston University and the Universities of Arizona, Washington, and Pittsburgh analyzed data on asthma that were taken from a large population-based study of cardiovascular disease in people older than 65 years. In the original study of 4581 participants, 4% had confirmed asthma, 4% experienced wheezing and dyspnea, and 11% reported wheezing episodes.
The researchers found that 18% of those with confirmed asthma were taking oral corticosteroids, which can have a number of adverse effects. Clinical practice guidelines call for the use of inhaled corticosteroids, which rarely cause adverse effects, and long-acting bronchodilators. The researchers also reported that only 30% of participants diagnosed with asthma by a physician were taking an inhaled corticosteroid.
"Not only is asthma underdiagnosed in elderly persons in . . . [Full Text of this Article]
