Management of asthma in the elderly patient

Navigating biologic therapies in elderly asthma

The prevalence of asthma among the elderly population has witnessed a notable rise, presenting unique challenges in diagnosis and management. Biologic therapies, such as omalizumab, mepolizumab, reslizumab, benralizumab, dupilumab, and tezepelumab, have demonstrated efficacy in targeting specific pathways associated with severe asthma in elderly individuals. However, a significant research gap exists in the application of these therapies in elderly asthma patients. Despite the considerable size of the elderly asthma population and the social and economic burden that this specific demographic imposes on society, the available body of research catering to this group is limited. Notably, no RCTs have been expressly designed for the elderly across all asthma biologic therapies. Moreover, most RCTs have set upper age cutoffs, commonly 75 years old, and exclusion criteria for common comorbidities in the elderly, thus marginalizing this group from pivotal research. This underscores the crucial need for intentional inclusion of elderly participants in separately designed clinical trials and more researches, aiming to augment the generalizability of findings and enhance therapeutic outcomes. Given the distinct physiological changes associated with aging, there may be a concern regarding the efficacy and safety of biologic therapies in the elderly compared to non-elderly adults, posing a barrier to their use in this population. However, observational studies have shown similar benefits of these therapies in elderly individuals as seen in non-elderly adults. Other anticipated challenges related to initiating biologic therapy in elderly people with asthma including dosing consideration and monitoring strategies, which are important areas of investigation for optimizing asthma management will be discussed in this review. In summary, this review navigates the current landscape of biologic therapies for elderly asthma, offering valuable insights for various stakeholders, including researchers, healthcare providers, and policymakers, to advance asthma care in this vulnerable population. We propose that future research should concentrate on tailored, evidence-based approaches to address the undertreatment of elderly asthma patients.

Determinants associated with uncontrolled asthma in Portugal: A national population-based study

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Asthma is a chronic and heterogeneous disease that affects people of all ages and has a high estimated increase in prevalence worldwide. Asthma control represents a main goal in the disease management. International studies revealed low levels of disease control resulting in a significant burden for healthcare systems, not only in terms of quality of life, but also in terms of health costs. Modifiable and non-modifiable factors have been identified as relating to poor asthma control level. In this study we evaluated the distribution of asthma control levels in Portuguese adult population and examine the determinants associated with uncontrolled asthma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Using a similar methodology to the one employed in the Asthma Insights and Reality in Europe (AIRE) survey, 327 active asthmatic patients were identified by random phone number and completed a questionnaire during 2011 to 2012. Asthma control was assessed by the evaluation of GINA based symptom control, by Asthma Control Test.äó (ACT) and by self-perception of control. To examine the relationship between uncontrolled asthma and its determinants, univariate logistic regression analysis, sequential multivariable regression and population attributable risk percentage were determinate.

RESULTS

35.2% active asthmatic patients had uncontrolled asthma, 64.8% partially controlled and none of the individuals had total control of asthma assessed by ACT test. Factors significantly associated with poor asthma control scores were: age (OR 1.02 per year of age; 95% CI: 1.01.Çô1.03), female sex (OR 1.87; 95% CI: 1.15.Çô3.04), educational level (OR 0.5; 95% CI: 0.28.Çô0.89 at high school level or over), occupation (OR 4.92; 95% CI: 2.12.Çô11.42 if looking for a first job or unemployed) (OR 2.51; 95% CI: 1.35.Çô4.65 if being retired), income (OR 0.23; 95% CI: 0.07.Çô0.72 if >619 euros), BMI (OR 1.09 per BMI unit; 95% CI: 1.03.Çô1.14), having rhinitis symptoms (OR 4.40; 95% CI: 2.56.Çô7.58) and using inhaled corticosteroids (OR 0.44; 95%CI: 0.24.Çô0.82 if used in the past or never used). Looking for a first job or being unemployed, BMI and having rhinitis symptoms remained significant after multivariate adjustments.

CONCLUSIONS

Uncontrolled asthma was associated with several determinants. Their identification can contribute to improve asthma care both from clinical and from public health perspectives.

Global burden of asthma associated with high body mass index from 1990 to 2019

BACKGROUND

High body mass index (BMI) plays a key role in the progression of asthma and asthma related to high BMI resulted in a high burden of disease globally.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to explore the geographical and temporal trends in the global burden of asthma associated with high BMI from 1990 to 2019.

METHODS

This is a retrospective analysis with data based on the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 database. The deaths, disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) and age-standardized DALY rate (ASDR) were estimated according to sex, age and sociodemographic indexes (SDI) levels. Estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) was used to evaluate the variation trends of ASMR and ASDR from 1990 to 2019.

RESULTS

In 2019, the number of global asthma deaths and DALYs related to high BMI increased by 69.69% and 63.91% respectively compared with 1990, among which more deaths and DALYs occurred in females. The corresponding ASMR and ASDR showed a slightly decreasing tendency globally. South Asia accounted for the highest number of deaths and DALYs, with India ranked first worldwide in 2019. The number of deaths and DALYs mainly appeared in individuals 60-79 years old and 55-69 years old respectively from 1990 to 2019. The heaviest burden existed in the low-middle SDI region.

CONCLUSION

The global asthma burden associated with obesity increased in absolute value but the standardized burden decreased slightly. Large variations existed in the high BMI-related asthma burdens among sexes, ages and regions.

Indian Guidelines on Nebulization Therapy

Inhalational therapy, today, happens to be the mainstay of treatment in obstructive airway diseases (OADs), such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and is also in the present, used in a variety of other pulmonary and even non-pulmonary disorders. Hand-held inhalation devices may often be difficult to use, particularly for children, elderly, debilitated or distressed patients. Nebulization therapy emerges as a good option in these cases besides being useful in the home care, emergency room and critical care settings. With so many advancements taking place in nebulizer technology; availability of a plethora of drug formulations for its use, and the widening scope of this therapy; medical practitioners, respiratory therapists, and other health care personnel face the challenge of choosing appropriate inhalation devices and drug formulations, besides their rational application and use in different clinical situations. Adequate maintenance of nebulizer equipment including their disinfection and storage are the other relevant issues requiring guidance. Injudicious and improper use of nebulizers and their poor maintenance can sometimes lead to serious health hazards, nosocomial infections, transmission of infection, and other adverse outcomes. Thus, it is imperative to have a proper national guideline on nebulization practices to bridge the knowledge gaps amongst various health care personnel involved in this practice. It will also serve as an educational and scientific resource for healthcare professionals, as well as promote future research by identifying neglected and ignored areas in this field. Such comprehensive guidelines on this subject have not been available in the country and the only available proper international guidelines were released in 1997 which have not been updated for a noticeably long period of over two decades, though many changes and advancements have taken place in this technology in the recent past. Much of nebulization practices in the present may not be evidence-based and even some of these, the way they are currently used, may be ineffective or even harmful. Recognizing the knowledge deficit and paucity of guidelines on the usage of nebulizers in various settings such as inpatient, out-patient, emergency room, critical care, and domiciliary use in India in a wide variety of indications to standardize nebulization practices and to address many other related issues; National College of Chest Physicians (India), commissioned a National task force consisting of eminent experts in the field of Pulmonary Medicine from different backgrounds and different parts of the country to review the available evidence from the medical literature on the scientific principles and clinical practices of nebulization therapy and to formulate evidence-based guidelines on it. The guideline is based on all possible literature that could be explored with the best available evidence and incorporating expert opinions. To support the guideline with high-quality evidence, a systematic search of the electronic databases was performed to identify the relevant studies, position papers, consensus reports, and recommendations published. Rating of the level of the quality of evidence and the strength of recommendation was done using the GRADE system. Six topics were identified, each given to one group of experts comprising of advisors, chairpersons, convenor and members, and such six groups (A-F) were formed and the consensus recommendations of each group was included as a section in the guidelines (Sections I to VI). The topics included were: A. Introduction, basic principles and technical aspects of nebulization, types of equipment, their choice, use, and maintenance B. Nebulization therapy in obstructive airway diseases C. Nebulization therapy in the intensive care unit D. Use of various drugs (other than bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroids) by nebulized route and miscellaneous uses of nebulization therapy E. Domiciliary/Home/Maintenance nebulization therapy; public & health care workers education, and F. Nebulization therapy in COVID-19 pandemic and in patients of other contagious viral respiratory infections (included later considering the crisis created due to COVID-19 pandemic). Various issues in different sections have been discussed in the form of questions, followed by point-wise evidence statements based on the existing knowledge, and recommendations have been formulated.

Efficacy of mepolizumab in elderly patients with severe asthma and overlapping COPD in real-world settings: A retrospective observational study

BACKGROUND

Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are the most common respiratory diseases, presenting overlapping prevalence with age. Mepolizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody targeting interleukin-5. In major randomized clinical trials, this antibody reportedly reduced the circulating eosinophil count, exacerbation rate, and oral corticosteroid (OCS) dosage in patients with severe eosinophilic asthma. However, data regarding the efficacy of mepolizumab in elderly patients with asthma and overlapping COPD are limited.

METHODS

This was a single-center, retrospective, observational study. Elderly patients (age ≥65 years) administered mepolizumab between August 2016 and March 2019 were enrolled and the effects of mepolizumab on the eosinophil level, exacerbation numbers, OCS dosage, and lung functions were assessed. We compared treatment responses in patients with asthma and COPD overlap (ACO) with responses observed in patients with severe asthma alone. Adverse events were also evaluated.

RESULTS

Twenty patients (10 men and 10 women), with a mean age of 77.5 ± 1.3 years, were included. Mepolizumab significantly reduced the blood eosinophil count, as well as significantly decreased clinically significant exacerbation, in both populations. The OCS dosage was significantly reduced in patients treated receiving maintenance OCS therapy. However, mepolizumab did not improve lung function in either population, and no significant difference was observed in treatment responses between patients with asthma alone and ACO.

CONCLUSIONS

Mepolizumab may be effective in elderly patients with eosinophilic asthma and ACO.

Effectiveness and Safety of Inhaled Corticosteroids in Older Individuals with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and/or Asthma. A Population Study

Rationale: Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are established medications for the management of both asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), two common chronic airway diseases. However, there is still uncertainty with respect to their use in some cases, specifically in older adults with asthma, people with concurrent asthma and COPD, and some people with COPD (given the association of ICS with pneumonia).Objectives: To compare the effectiveness and safety of ICS in older adults with asthma, COPD, or features of both in a real-word setting.Methods: In this retrospective longitudinal population cohort study, individuals 66 years of age or older in Ontario, Canada, who met a validated case definition of physician-diagnosed COPD and/or asthma between 2003 and 2014 were followed until March 2015 through provincial health administrative data. Overlap in COPD and asthma diagnoses was permitted and stratified for in subgroup analyses. The exposure was new receipt of ICS. The primary effectiveness and safety outcomes were hospitalizations for obstructive lung disease (OLD) and hospitalizations for pneumonia, respectively. Propensity scores were used to adjust for confounders.Results: The study included 87,690 individuals with asthma (27% with concurrent COPD) and 150,593 individuals with COPD (25% with concurrent asthma). In terms of effectiveness, controlling for confounders, ICS was associated with fewer hospitalizations for OLD (hazard ratio [HR], 0.84; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.79-0.88) in subjects with asthma alone, with concurrent COPD attenuating the benefit. A similar association was seen in subjects with COPD and concurrent asthma (HR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.84-0.92), but not in those with COPD alone, where ICS receipt had little impact on hospitalizations. In terms of safety, ICS receipt was associated with a marginally increased risk of pneumonia hospitalizations in people with COPD and no asthma (HR, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.00-1.06), but not in the other groups.Conclusions: ICS was associated with fewer hospitalizations for OLD in older adults with asthma and concurrent asthma and COPD, but had little impact on OLD and pneumonia hospitalizations in those with COPD alone.

Pharmacotherapeutic management of asthma in the elderly patient

INTRODUCTION

Asthma is a heterogeneous syndrome with variable phenotypes. Reversible airway obstruction and airway hyper-responsiveness often with an atopic or eosinophilic component is common in the elderly asthmatic. Asthma chronic obstructive pulmonary disease overlap syndrome (ACOS), a combination of atopy-mediated airway hyper-responsiveness and a history of smoking or other environmental noxious exposures, can lead to some fixed airway obstruction and is also common in elderly patients. Little specific data exist for the treating the elderly asthmatic, thus requiring the clinician to extrapolate from general adult data and asthma treatment guidelines.

AREAS COVERED

A stepwise approach to pharmacotherapy of the elderly patient with asthma and ACOS is offered and the literature supporting the use of each class of drugs reviewed.

EXPERT OPINION

Inhaled, long-acting bronchodilators in combination with inhaled corticosteroids represent the backbone of treatment for the elderly patient with asthma or ACOS . Beyond these medications used as direct bronchodilators and topical anti-inflammatory agents, a stepwise approach to escalation of therapy includes multiple options such as oral leukotriene receptor antagonist or 5-lipoxygense inhibitor therapy, oral phosphodiesterase inhibitors, systemic corticosteroids, oral macrolide antibiotics and if evidence of eosinophilic/atopic component disease exists then modifying monoclonal antibody therapies.

Asthma Control and Its Predictive Factors in Adult Asthma Patients

BACKGROUND

Asthma is a highly prevalent condition that remains difficult to control, as its associated factors remain poorly understood. Thus, the primary aim of the present investigation was to determine the prevalence of uncontrolled asthma in hospital units in south Jordan and to evaluate the risk factors that may contribute to uncontrolled asthma.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study involving 93 patients aged 40.5 ± 13.6 years that met the criteria of the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA). Relevant patient data were collected via a questionnaire and through a review of medical records. The questionnaire comprised of sections pertaining to sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, as well as pharmacological asthma treatment, asthma severity and asthma control. Asthma severity was determined in line with the GINA guidelines, whereby the patients were classified into four groups (intermittent, mild persistent, moderate persistent or severe persistent). Moreover, based on the findings yielded by the asthma control questionnaire (ACQ), patients were divided into three levels, whereby those diagnosed with partly controlled and uncontrolled asthma were combined into one group, denoted as "poorly controlled asthma", with "uncontrolled asthma" and "controlled asthma" as the remaining two groups. Atopy was defined as one or more positive reactions (A/H ratio > 1) on a skin prick test.

RESULTS

Asthma control was achieved in 45.2% of the sample. Moreover, older age, severe asthma according to the GINA guidelines, longer duration of asthma, atopy, being on treatment for asthma and history of allergic rhinitis were identified as the main risk factors contributing to poorly controlled asthma. Multivariate analyses, however, revealed that only atopy to two or more allergens and having severe asthmatic attacks were statistically significantly associated with poorly controlled asthma, for which the odds ratio Mantel-Haenszel (ORMH) of 17.2 and 2.2 was obtained, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicate that severe asthma and atopy to two or more allergens are the main risk factors for uncontrolled asthma. However, further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm these results.

Identifying phenotypes and factors impacting outcomes in older adults with asthma: A research protocol and recruitment results

Success in testing research outcomes requires identification of effective recruitment strategies in the targeted population. In this paper, we present the protocol for our NIH-funded study as well as success rates for the various recruitment strategies employed. This longitudinal observational study is: developing a phenotyping algorithm for asthma in older adults, exploring the effects of the asthma phenotype and of volatile organic compounds on asthma control, and developing a predictive model of asthma quality of life. A sub-aim is to characterize barriers to successful medication management in older adults with asthma. Individuals are eligible if they are ≥60 years, have a positive response to at least 1 of 6 asthma screening questions, are non-smokers, and demonstrate bronchodilator reversibility or a positive bronchial challenge test with methacholine. Exclusion criteria are smokers who quit <5 years ago or with a >20 pack year smoking history, and those having other chronic pulmonary diseases. Participants (N = 190) complete baseline pulmonary function testing, questionnaires, sputum induction, skin prick testing, and have blood drawn for Vitamin D and Immunoglobulin E. Home environmental assessments are completed including 24-hr particulate and volatile organic compound measurements. At 9-months post-baseline, home spirometry, medication assessment, and assessment of asthma quality of life and asthma control are assessed. At 18-months post-baseline, home spirometry, completion of baseline questionnaires, and a home environmental assessment are completed. We have employed multiple recruitment efforts including referrals from clinical offices, no-cost media events, flyers, and ads. The most successful efforts have been referrals from clinical offices and media events.

Fall episodes in elderly patients with asthma and COPD - A pilot study

OBJECTIVE

Evidence of an increased risk of falls in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exists; however, this has not been studied in elderly asthmatic patients. The aim of the study was to determine the incidence of falls in elderly patients who were diagnosed with bronchial asthma compared to subjects with COPD.

METHODS

A 12-month prospective observational study in elderly outpatients with diagnosis of either asthma or COPD was conducted. All of the participants were monitored on the following parameters: falls, comorbidities, drug therapy, and The Berg Balance Scale. The rate of falls was shown as an incidence ratio. Cluster analysis for subgroups with similar features was performed on all patients included in the study. Two clusters of frequent fallers were determined.

RESULTS

The fall incidence rate in falls per person per year was 1.41 (95% CI: 0.86-1.96) in asthmatic patients and 1.49 (95% CI: 1.05-2.11) in the COPD group. Frequent fallers were more prevalent in the COPD group, with 32% in this group compared to 28% in the groups of patients with asthma. In cluster analysis, frequent fallers were grouped into two models characterized by polytherapy, depression symptoms, hospitalizations, coronary disease, dementia, and diagnosis of COPD or asthma.

CONCLUSION

Elderly asthmatic patients presented a high rate of falls, which is comparable to that of patients with COPD.

Pulmonary drug delivery to older people

Pulmonary diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), are common in older people. Treatment principles are well established in this group of patients; however, inadequate training and improper inhaler techniques often results in poor treatment outcomes. Healthcare professionals often do not have the required knowledge about the most common inhaler devices. Age-related conditions like cognitive ability and physical strength would also impact on the inhaler usage. Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics may be affected by physiological changes, like impaired renal and hepatic functions and reduced lung functions. Adjusting and optimizing the inhaler device to the patient preferences, improvement of the drug formulation and inhalers, and using different adherence strategies might improve the treatment outcomes in elderly patients.

Asthma Medication Ratio Phenotypes in Elderly Women

BACKGROUND

With population aging, further asthma research is needed in the elderly.

OBJECTIVE

We assessed the relevance of the controller-to-total asthma medication ratio and its fluctuations over time to identify participants with a subsequent risk of poor asthma-related outcomes among well-characterized elderly women.

METHODS

We studied 4,328 women with ever asthma (69.6 ± 6.1 years) from the Asthma-E3N study (Etude Epidémiologique auprès des femmes de la Mutuelle Générale de l'Education Nationale), which combined drug claims data since 2004 with prospective individual characteristics. The levels of the yearly controller-to-total asthma medication ratio from 2004 to 2011 were included in latent class analysis to identify groups of women characterized by specific long-term fluctuations of the ratio. Multiple regression models estimated the subsequent risk of uncontrolled asthma, asthma attacks, asthma exacerbations, and poor asthma-related quality of life associated with the level and the fluctuations of the ratio.

RESULTS

A short-term (12 months) ratio below 0.5 was associated with a higher risk of subsequent uncontrolled asthma, asthma attacks, asthma exacerbations (odds ratio [95% confidence interval (CI)] = 2.13 [1.41; 3.23], 1.51 [1.01; 2.26], and 2.18 [1.37; 3.44], respectively), and a lower total asthma quality of life questionnaire score (β [95% CI] = -0.49 [-0.68; -0.29]). The analysis of the long-term fluctuations of the ratio identified 5 profiles ("Never regular treatment," 53.2%; "Persistent high ratio," 21.8%; "Increasing ratio," 4.4%; "Initiating treatment," 8.8%; "Treatment discontinuation," 11.8%). The subsequent risk of poor asthma-related outcomes was significantly higher in profiles characterized by no or interrupted asthma maintenance therapy over time, compared with the "Persistent high ratio" group.

CONCLUSIONS

The level and the long-term fluctuations of the controller-to-total asthma medication ratio predict poor asthma-related outcomes in elderly women.

Targeted Therapy for Older Patients with Uncontrolled Severe Asthma: Current and Future Prospects

Severe asthma in the elderly places a high burden on affected individuals and society. Emerging therapies target specific phenotypes of the asthma disease spectrum, and can be beneficial for older asthmatics, albeit their response might be altered due to age-related characteristics. Paradoxically, these characteristics are often ground for exclusion from clinical trials. The question thus arises how the senior asthmatic population can successfully enter the era of targeted therapy. Therefore, we highlight characteristics of this population relevant to effective treatment, and review the evidence for targeted therapy in elderly patients. For targeted therapy it is important to account for aging, as this affects the distribution of phenotypes (e.g. late-onset asthma, non-eosinophilic asthma) and may alter biomarkers and drug metabolism. Elderly asthmatics suffer from age-related comorbidities and subsequent polypharmacy. A systematic search into targeted asthma therapy yielded no randomized clinical trials dedicated to older asthmatics. Post hoc analyses of the anti-immunoglobulin E agent omalizumab indicate similar efficacy in both younger and older adults. Conference abstracts on anti-interleukin-5 and anti-interleukin-13 therapy suggest even more pronounced effects of targeted treatments in late-onset disease and in asthmatic patients 65 years or older, but full reports are lacking. For non-eosinophilic asthma in the elderly, there is not yet high-level evidence for targeted therapy, but macrolides may offer a viable option. In conclusion, there is a gap in knowledge regarding the effect of older age on the safety and efficacy of targeted asthma therapy. Further investigations in the elderly are needed, with special emphasis on both late-onset asthma and therapeutics for non-eosinophilic asthma.

New concepts in asthma: clinical phenotypes and pathophysiological mechanisms

Asthma is among the most common chronic inflammatory diseases worldwide. Recent evidence indicates that the pathogenesis shows a high degree of heterogeneity. Patient subsets have been identified that exhibit different cellular and molecular patterns of dysregulation. A prominent example is eosinophilic Th2-driven asthma. These unique and molecular patterns are termed endotypes. Characterization of endotypes has broad implications for therapeutic interventions. Although ∼80% of asthmatic patients respond well to standard anti-inflammatory therapies, the remaining subset particularly consisting of severe patients requires a more specialized endotype-specific approach. This interrelationship between clinical phenotypes, molecular endotypes and endotype-specific therapies is the focus of this review.

Near-fatal asthma in the elderly

Asthma affects the elderly as often as other age groups; however, it more often becomes fatal in the elderly. Unfortunately, asthma is often unmanaged or underdiagnosed in the older population. It is important for health care providers to recognize risk factors in the elderly and properly treat them before asthma becomes fatal. This article describes near-fatal asthma and identifies risk factors specifically for the elderly. Symptoms of asthma are reviewed as well as assessments and diagnostic tests to identify asthma severity and complications. Proper management needs to be urgently initiated to prevent worsening respiratory distress; this includes fast-acting drug treatments appropriate for elderly patients. Decompensated acute respiratory failure, secondary to severe asthma, requires the skills of an experienced anesthesiologist because these patients may rapidly deteriorate during induction and intubation. Ventilator management must include strategies to prevent worsening hyperinflation of the lungs. Elderly asthma patients have a higher mortality risk related to ventilator complications and other comorbidities.

Effects of omalizumab in severe asthmatics across ages: A real life Italian experience

BACKGROUND

This retrospective study aimed at evaluating long-term effects of Omalizumab in elderly asthmatics in a real-life setting.

METHODS

105 consecutive severe asthmatics (GINA step 4-5; mean FEV₁% predicted:66 ± 15.7) treated with Omalizumab for at least 1 year (treatment mean duration 35.1 ± 21.7 months) were divided into 3 groups according to their age at Omalizumab treatment onset: 18-39, 40-64 and ≥ 65 years.

RESULTS

Comorbidities, number of overweight/obese subjects and patients with late-onset asthma were more frequent among older people. A similar reduction of inhaled corticosteroids dosage and SABA on-demand therapy was observed in all groups during Omalizumab treatment; a similar FEV₁ increased was also observed. Asthma Control Test (ACT) improved significantly (p < 0.001) in the three groups, increasing from 15 [IQR:12-18] to 24 [IQR:22-25] in younger subjects, from 14 [IQR:10-16] to 21 [IQR:20-23] in the 40-64-year-group and from 15 [IQR:12-16] to 20 [IQR:18-22] in elderly patients where improvement was lower (p = 0.039) compared to younger people. Asthma exacerbations decreased significantly after Omalizumab but the percentage of exacerbation-free patients was higher in younger people (76.9%) compared to middle aged patients (49.2%) and the elderly (29%) (p = 0.049). After Omalizumab treatment, the risk for exacerbations was lower in subjects aged 40-64 (OR = 0.284 [CI95% = 0.098-0.826], p = 0.021) and 18-39 (OR = 0.133 [CI95% = 0.026-0.678], p = 0.015), compared to elderly asthmatics. Also, a significantly reduced ACT improvement (β = -1.070; p = 0.046) passing from each age class was observed.

CONCLUSION

Omalizumab improves all asthma outcomes independently of age, although the magnitude of the effects observed in the elderly seems to be lower than in the other age groups.

Cost-Utility Analysis of Long-Acting Beta Agonists versus Leukotriene Receptor Antagonists in Older Adults with Persistent Asthma Receiving Concomitant Inhaled Corticosteroid Therapy

BACKGROUND

Long-acting beta agonists (LABA) and leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRA) are the major add-on treatments in older adults with persistent asthma when inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) fail to achieve adequate asthma control.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the cost-utility of ICS + LABA treatment compared with ICS + LTRA treatment in older adults with asthma.

METHODS

A Markov model was used to estimate the incremental costs and quality-adjusted life expectancy associated with ICS + LABA treatment versus ICS + LTRA treatment in older adults with asthma in the United States from the health system perspective. The HCUPnet 2010 national statistics were used to extract the costs associated with asthma and cardiovascular hospitalizations, and inpatient mortality associated with these events. Event probabilities were predicted using Medicare 2009-2010 claims for older adults with asthma. Treatment costs were estimated on the basis of average wholesale drug price listings, and utility estimates were extracted from the literature. To account for uncertainty, one-way sensitivity analysis and probabilistic sensitivity analysis were performed.

RESULTS

The model predicted that, compared with ICS + LTRA treatment, ICS + LABA treatment costs $5,823 more while gaining 0.03 quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), resulting in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $209,090 per QALY. Hospitalization probabilities and posthospitalization utilities were the most influential parameters in the one-way sensitivity analysis. Probabilistic uncertainty analysis using Monte-Carlo simulations showed that the probabilities that ICS + LTRA treatment is cost-effective compared with ICS + LABA treatment are 77% and 62% at $50,000 and $100,000 per QALY gained willingness-to-pay thresholds, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The cost-effectiveness of ICS + LABA treatment is economically unfavorable in older adults when compared with LTRA as add-on treatment.

Factors affecting ability to achieve asthma control in adult patients with moderate to severe persistent asthma

OBJECTIVE

Despite the use of optimal therapy and guidelines, the rate of asthma control is suboptimal in adult populations. Purpose of this study is to describe factors associated with ability to achieve well-controlled asthma over time for adult patients treated in a tertiary medical center-based asthma outpatient specialty clinic.

METHODS

Existing clinical data collected for 320 adult patients enrolled in a hospital-based outpatient asthma specialty clinic from July 1, 2003 through June 30, 2011 evaluated time to achieve well-controlled asthma and factors associated with well-controlled asthma such as adherence and lack of previous exacerbations.

RESULTS

Adherence to prescribed therapy (p = 0.004) and no previous asthma related ED visits (p = 0.004) were associated with well-controlled asthma for moderate persistent baseline. BMI on a continuous spectrum (p = 0.120) and the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis (p = 0.769) were not independently significant. Body-mass-index (BMI) in combination with adherence did influence ability to achieve well-controlled asthma (p < 0.05). Adherence (p = 0.615), allergic rhinitis (p = 0.172), BMI continuous scale (p = 0.074) and visit interval <90 days (p = 0.653) were not independently associated with likelihood of achieving well-controlled asthma in severe persistent asthmatics. Significance of particular factors in combination (adherence, allergic rhinitis, sex, BMI) showed dependency on other variables in achieving well-controlled asthma.

CONCLUSIONS

Different factors are associated with asthma control for different patient subpopulations. Adherence to standard therapy did not improve obese (BMI > 30) patients' ability to achieve asthma control. Female patients were less likely to obtain well-controlled asthma per unit increase of BMI. Multiple factors must be addressed to optimize attaining asthma control.

Asthma, COPD and comorbidities in elderly people

Co-morbidities are a significant problem in the elderly population but are rarely presented and analyzed for interdependencies among the various coexisting chronic diseases.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to present a profile of comorbidities in elderly patients with and without asthma and COPD.

METHODS

Respondents were recruited at 20 sites in Poland. Stratified random sampling from patient databases resulted in 15,973 patients older than 60 years of age. A retrospective analysis of medical history and ICD-10 codes was performed. In addition, patients underwent a spirometry test with a bronchial reversibility test and were administered questionnaires on the prevalence of chronic diseases by doctors.

RESULTS

The study population consisted of 1023 asthmatic patients, 1084 patients with COPD and 1076 control subjects without any signs of bronchoconstriction and with correct spirometry. Patients with asthma exhibited a similar distribution of cardiovascular and metabolic co-morbidities as the control group. However, asthmatic patients had a higher prevalence of arterial hypertension and depression with an odds ratio (OR) = 1.48 (95% CI: 1.38-1.62) and OR = 1.52 (95% CI: 1.44-1.68), respectively. Coronary disease (OR = 2.12; 95% CI: 1.97-2.33), cor pulmonale (OR = 3.1; 95% CI: 2.87-3.22) and heart failure (OR = 2.71; 95% CI: 2.64-3.11) were predominantly observed in patients with COPD. Patients with severe asthma exhibited a greater predisposition to cardiovascular and neuropsychiatric diseases.

CONCLUSION

Asthma coexisted frequently with arterial hypertension and depression in elderly patients. Patients with COPD have a more exaggerated profile of coexisting diseases, specifically cardiovascular problems.

Challenges in the management of severe allergic asthma in the elderly

Little is known about the features of asthma and allergy in the elderly. A significant number of elderly patients with asthma have uncontrolled and severe asthma. This review aims to provide an analysis of the literature on the assessment and phenotype of severe allergic asthma in the elderly. Gaps and pitfalls in diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, as well as management of severe allergic asthma in the elderly, are also discussed.

Asthma in the older adult: presentation, considerations and clinical management

Asthma affects older adults to the same extent as children and adolescents. However, one is led to imagine that asthma prevalence decreases with aging and becomes a rare entity in the elderly. From a clinical perspective, this misconception has nontrivial consequences in that the recognition of the disease is delayed and the treatment postponed. The overall management of asthma in the elderly population is also complicated by specific features that the disease develops in the most advanced ages, and by the difficulties that the physician encounters when approaching the older asthmatic subjects. The current review article aims at describing the specific clinical presentations of asthma in the elderly and highlights the gaps and pitfalls in the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Relevant issues with regard to the clinical management of asthma in the elderly are also discussed.

Association between asthma self-management knowledge and asthma control in the elderly

BACKGROUND

Considerable evidence points to the importance of patient education in achieving better asthma control. However, little is known about the effect of older adults' asthma knowledge on asthma control.

OBJECTIVE

To identify the relation between asthma self-management knowledge and short-term asthma control in older adults.

METHODS

The study included 82 patients with asthma undergoing usual asthma care who were interviewed by the same trained allergist. At the same time, the authors conducted an asthma knowledge questionnaire, an Asthma Control Test, skin prick testing, spirometry, and evaluation of inhaler device technique. The Turkish version of the asthma knowledge questionnaire was administered to all participants in face-to-face interviews. The relation between asthma knowledge and asthma control was tested by regression analysis.

RESULTS

The education level was below the secondary level in 79% of patients; 59% of patients were obese; and 44% of patients had mild, 41% had moderate, and 5% had severe persistent asthma. The atopy rate was 21%. The most common sensitization was to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. Fifty-two percent of patients had uncontrolled asthma; 22 patients showed proper use of the inhaler device. Forty patients (48%) had limited asthma knowledge. The main source of asthma knowledge was from physicians for 81% of patients. There was no significant association between patients' asthma knowledge and asthma control level (P = .991).

CONCLUSION

Knowledge of asthma was very low in elderly patients and usual asthma care was largely insufficient. These findings suggest that asthma education programs should be developed for older adults based on their education level and clinical asthma characteristics.

Health and economic burden of obesity in elderly individuals with asthma in the United States

The health and economic burden of obesity among elderly individuals with asthma has not been adequately studied. This study assessed the association between obesity and asthma among the elderly and examined the impact of obesity on asthma-related and total health care costs among elderly individuals with asthma. This was a retrospective analysis of the 2006-2010 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) data. Individuals aged 65 years or older were included in the study. Individuals with asthma were identified by an International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision code of 493 or a Clinical Classification Code of 128. Individuals with a self-reported body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m(2) were considered to be obese. Logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between obesity and asthma. Generalized linear models with gamma distribution and log link were used to assess the relationship between obesity and asthma-related and total direct medical costs. All analyses were conducted while accounting for the complex survey design of MEPS. In all, 675 elderly individuals were identified as having asthma, 292 of whom were obese. Obese elderly individuals were more likely to suffer from asthma as compared to the nonobese (odds ratio, 1.71; 95% confidence interval [CI],1.37-2.12). Obesity was a significant predictor of asthma-related costs (β: 0.537; 95% CI: 0.18-0.89; P= 0.003) and total health care costs (β: 0.154; 95% CI: 0.08-0.23; P = 0.001) among elderly individuals with asthma after controlling for sociodemographics and comorbidities. Appropriate weight management measures should be recommended to obese elderly individuals with asthma to improve asthma control and reduce health care costs.

Determinants of uncontrolled asthma in a Swedish asthma population: cross-sectional observational study

BACKGROUND

Asthma control is achieved in a low proportion of patients. The primary aim was to evaluate risk factors for uncontrolled asthma. The secondary aim was to assess quality of life associated with asthma control.

METHODS

In a cross-sectional study, asthma patients aged 18-75 were randomly selected from primary and secondary health care centers. Postal questionnaires were sent to 1,675 patients and the response rate was 71%. A total of 846 patients from primary and 341 patients from secondary care were evaluated. Data were collected using a questionnaire and review of medical records. The questionnaire included questions about asthma control and a quality-of-life questionnaire, the mini-AQLQ, with four domains (symptoms, activity limitation, emotional function, and environmental stimuli). The mean score for each domain and the overall score were calculated. Asthma control was divided into three levels according to the GINA guidelines and partly and uncontrolled asthma were combined into one group - poorly controlled asthma.

RESULTS

Asthma control was achieved in 36% of the sample: 38% in primary and 29% in secondary care. In primary and secondary care, 35 and 45% had uncontrolled asthma, respectively. Risk factors for poorly controlled asthma were female sex [OR 1.31 (1.003-1.70)], older age [OR 2.18 (1.28-3.73)], lower educational level [OR 1.63 (1.14-2.33)], and current smoking [OR 1.68 (1.16-2.43)]. Older age and lower educational level remained statistically significantly associated with poorly controlled asthma when the analyses were limited to never-smokers. Depression was an independent risk factor for poorly controlled asthma in men [OR 3.44 (1.12-10.54)]. The mini-AQLQ scores and the mean overall score were significantly lower in uncontrolled asthma.

CONCLUSION

Risk factors for poorly controlled asthma were female sex, older age, low educational level, and smoking. Uncontrolled asthma was significantly associated with lower quality of life.

Asthma in the elderly: what we know and what we have yet to know

In the past, asthma was considered mainly as a childhood disease. However, asthma is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in the elderly nowadays. In addition, the burden of asthma is more significant in the elderly than in their younger counterparts, particularly with regard to mortality, hospitalization, medical costs or health-related quality of life. Nevertheless, asthma in the elderly is still been underdiagnosed and undertreated. Therefore, it is an imperative task to recognize our current challenges and to set future directions. This project aims to review the current literature and identify unmet needs in the fields of research and practice for asthma in the elderly. This will enable us to find new research directions, propose new therapeutic strategies, and ultimately improve outcomes for elderly people with asthma. There are data to suggest that asthma in older adults is phenotypically different from young patients, with potential impact on the diagnosis, assessment and management in this population. The diagnosis of AIE in older populations relies on the same clinical findings and diagnostic tests used in younger populations, but the interpretation of the clinical data is more difficult. The challenge today is to encourage new research in AIE but to use the existing knowledge we have to make the diagnosis of AIE, educate the patient, develop a therapeutic approach to control the disease, and ultimately provide a better quality of life to our elderly patients.

Asthma characteristics among older adults: using the California health interview survey to examine asthma incidence, morbidity and ethnic differences

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to examine the incidence, characteristics of asthma morbidity and care, and ethnic differences that exist in older adults with asthma in California.

METHODS

Data were from the 2009 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS). Characteristics of older adults (≥65 years) with and without asthma were compared using population-weighted estimates. Asthma-specific variables were compared among different ethnic groups. Multivariate analyses were preformed to determine factors associated with asthma status, asthma episodes/attacks, asthma symptom frequency and emergency department (ED) visits due to asthma.

RESULTS

Asthma was present in 8.1% of older adults, among which, 67.3% reported taking medication daily for asthma. Asthma symptoms were experienced every day by almost 20%, with over 34% of seniors with asthma having symptoms at least once per week. Despite having a lower frequency of asthma symptoms, Hispanics were 5.31 times more likely to visit the ED due to asthma than were Caucasians.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings from the study showed that older adults with asthma had difficulty with asthma control. We recommend a focus on asthma education so that when symptoms do occur, options are available to avoid costly ED visits. Further research should focus on specific asthma management skills and adherence to asthma treatment regimen among ethnic groups.

Allergic disorders at a venerable age: a mini-review

This review focuses on 3 allergic disorders of persons coming up against venerable age: asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis. The prevalence of allergic diseases in the elderly ranges from 5 to 10% and appears to be rising. A gradual decline in immune function, termed immunosenescence, and age-related changes in tissue structure influence the development of these disorders. Common complications are comorbidities, polypharmacy, and adverse effects of drugs. The elderly have difficulty mounting protective immune responses against newly encountered antigens. The integrity of epithelial barriers is compromised, leading to a chronic, subclinical inflammatory state and an enhanced Th2 (allergic) immune response. Undiagnosed asthma is frequent in elderly persons (about 8%) and still more commonplace in those with respiratory symptoms. Poorly controlled asthma in the elderly undermines their functional status and leads to a loss of autonomy and social isolation that may delay seeking medical services. Aggravation of allergic rhinitis coincides with exacerbation of asthma, whereas treatment of nasal inflammation improves control of the asthma. Atopic dermatitis is a chronically relapsing inflammatory skin disease often associated with respiratory allergy.

The Advance of Personalized and Stratified Therapies in Bronchial Asthma: Phenotypes - Endotypes - Biomarkers

Bronchial asthma (BA) is a chronic inflammatory condition with increasing incidence and prevalence worldwide. BA is currently the most prevalent chronic disease in pediatric patients. The majority of BA patients are therapeutically well controlled with guideline based anti-inflammatory therapies; however, there is also a clinically recognized proportion of patients who do not benefit from currently available medication for several reasons. This is the starting point for further investigation into the complexity of the inflammatory phenotype of BA. Recently, the heterogeneity in terms of cellular and molecular pathways underlying BA has been recognized and established. These different pathogenic mechanisms are defined as 'endotypes'. The best studied endotype so far is the association with T-helper type 2 (TH2) cell eosinophilic airway inflammation. Recently, a number of different therapeutic strategies have been clinically explored which target certain mediators of this pathway, including the interleukins IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13. It is now clear that patients with the TH2-endotype largely benefit from novel biologicals in this area. However, the challenge for diagnostics is to identify patients exhibiting this endotype, and this is the starting point for the search for new biomarkers. One biomarker that has recently been selected based on differential gene expression analysis, and which seems to be strongly associated with the TH2 endotype, is periostin. In this article we will provide a state of the art update on the definition of clinical phenotypes, pathogenetic endotypes and biomarker development for improving BA treatment.