Acute respiratory illness in older community residents

To describe the 3-year incidence of acute respiratory illness in a population of noninstitutionalized elderly persons.

Cohort analytic study with an observation period of 3 years.

Large midwestern urban community.

574 noninstitutionalized persons aged 65 years and older, of whom 349 were living independently, 110 were in congregate settings, and 115 were living independently and regularly caring for small children.

Subjects were interviewed and examined by nurse practitioners at intake and every 4 months. Acute illness and convalescent visits were made when illnesses were reported by participants.

The incidence of acute respiratory illness was used to test the hypothesis that elderly persons taking care of children have the highest incidence, congregate-dwellers intermediate incidence, and those living independently the lowest incidence.

The average incidence of acute respiratory illness was 2.5 per 100 person months, comparable to rates reported in the National Health Survey. The incidence of respiratory illness was significantly greater in subjects living in congregate settings or regularly caring for young children. Similarly, greater proportions of persons in the congregate and child-care groups reported at least one episode of illness (P < .05). A more detailed analysis of exposure shows that acute respiratory illness was significantly more common in subjects who had contact with children (P < .05). This risk was definitely present during the months November through February, and probably also during July through October, but was not observed for March through June.

Elderly persons living in the community experience low rates of acute upper respiratory illness. Contact with children increases their risk of developing such illnesses during certain seasons of the year.