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Respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function in an elderly nonsmoking population
D J Berglund1, D E Abbey, M D Lebowitz
1Center for Health Research, School of Public Health, Loma Linda University, CA 92350, USA.
Chest
|January 30, 1999
Summary
Environmental tobacco smoke exposure, parental history, and childhood respiratory illness are key risk factors for chronic airway disease (CAD) in older adults. Respiratory symptoms strongly correlate with reduced lung function.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Chronic airway disease (CAD) significantly impacts the elderly population.
- Identifying risk factors in nonsmokers is crucial for early intervention and prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify risk factors for chronic airway disease (CAD) in elderly nonsmokers using pulmonary function tests (PFTs).
- To correlate self-reported respiratory symptoms with objective PFT measures.
Main Methods:
- An observational survey was conducted in multiple California communities.
- Standardized questionnaires assessed exposures and respiratory history.
- Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) were performed to measure lung function.
Main Results:
- Significant risk factors for airway obstruction included environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure, parental history of CAD or hay fever, childhood respiratory illness, increasing age, and male sex.
- Symptomatic CAD correlated with reduced lung function (FEV1), with 24.9% obstruction in symptomatic individuals versus 7.5% in asymptomatic ones.
- Prevalence of obstruction was higher in those with asthma (36.0%) and emphysema (70.6%).
Conclusions:
- Age, sex, parental history, childhood respiratory illness, and ETS exposure are significant risk factors for airway obstruction.
- Self-reported respiratory symptoms show a significant correlation with PFT results, aiding in CAD assessment.