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Chronic bronchitis in an elderly population

Peter Lange1, Jan Parner, Eva Prescott

  • 1Copenhagen City Heart Study, Bispebjerg University Hospital, Copenhagen NV, Denmark. peter.lange@hh.hosp.dk

Age and Ageing
|November 6, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Chronic bronchitis is common in older adults, affecting 13% of women and 18.6% of men. This condition significantly increases the risk of respiratory infections and mortality from various causes.

Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Pulmonology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Chronic bronchitis prevalence and prognostic implications in elderly individuals (≥65 years) were investigated.
  • Data originated from The Copenhagen City Heart Study.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of chronic bronchitis in the elderly population.
  • To identify prognostic implications of chronic bronchitis on survival and respiratory health.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal study analyzing data from 1976-1994 with up to 12 years of survival follow-up.
  • Included approximately 3,700 elderly participants (mean age 76 years).
  • Utilized logistic and Cox regression analyses to assess predictors and survival outcomes.

Main Results:

  • Prevalence of chronic bronchitis was 13.0% in women and 18.6% in men.
  • Key predictors included male gender, smoking history, dust/fume exposure, childhood chest infections, recent chest infections, and high alcohol consumption.
  • Chronic bronchitis significantly predicted increased risk of respiratory infections, all-cause mortality (HR=1.3), benign respiratory diseases (HR=2.0), obstructive lung disease (HR=2.5), and lung cancer (HR=2.0).

Conclusions:

  • Chronic bronchitis is a prevalent condition in the elderly population.
  • The condition carries significant prognostic implications for respiratory health and overall survival.
Abstract

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