[Bronchial asthma in old people]

Bronchial asthma in old people is defined, according to a number of Anglo-Saxon authors, as a disease which occurs for the first time (de novo) at an advanced age (i.e. over 70 years). The present follow-up study had been carried out in the Diagnostic Division of the Outpatient Department--Polyclinic no. 1 of Iaşi--and has in view only the patients who had the first attack of disease at the time they were over 60. Clinical examination was complemented by the following tests: spirography, X-ray, allergological cutaneous tests, and test for the identification of eosinophils in sputum. A certain pattern was identified: the first asthmatic symptoms followed rhinobronchial episodes persistent spasmodic cough and continuous dyspnea induced by effort were frequent complaints; typical crises were uncommon. The allergic aetiology was supported by a positive anamnesis, while the cutaneous tests confirmed the presence of an allergen in only 20% of the cases; chronic and recurrent infections were present in 85% of the cases. At the same time, the presence of gastroesophageal reflux was searched as its frequency in the elderly as well as its role in inducing the bronchial asthma have often been reported. It is expected the identification of the characteristic pattern might lead to a correct diagnosis of bronchial asthma in old people and contribute to better therapy.