Asia Pac Allergy.  2017 Oct;7(4):185-192. 10.5415/apallergy.2017.7.4.185.

Respiratory allergies in the elderly: findings from the Korean Longitudinal Study on Health and Aging phase I study (2005–2006)

• Song WJ
• Chang YS

• KMID: 2410211
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5415/apallergy.2017.7.4.185

Abstract

Population aging is a global issue, but is estimated to be more rapid and dramatic in Asian countries. In the past, allergy might have been a minor concern in the elderly (usually defined as ≥65 years). However, recent series of epidemiologic studies indicate that allergic diseases are more prevalent than expected in the aged population. Furthermore, they pose significant impact on quality of life and socioeconomic costs. The burden may also increase in the elderly, due to frequent comorbidities and treatment-related complications. The Korean Longitudinal Study on Health and Aging (KLoSHA) cohort study is one of major research projects on the epidemiology of common geriatric disease conditions in Korea. In this review, we summarized the baseline findings on the prevalence, risk factors, comorbidities and impact of geriatric respiratory allergic conditions in the phase I KLoSHA cohort study.

Keyword

Asthma; Rhinitis; Cough; Aged; Epidemiology

MeSH Terms

Aged*
Aging*
Asian Continental Ancestry Group
Asthma
Cohort Studies
Comorbidity
Cough
Epidemiologic Studies
Epidemiology
Humans
Hypersensitivity*
Korea
Longitudinal Studies*
Prevalence
Quality of Life
Rhinitis
Risk Factors

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Trends and prospects of old-age dependency ratio (ratio of population aged ≥65 years per 100 population aged 15–64). (A) Comparison by continents. (B) Comparison by countries. Custom data were acquired from World Population Prospects 2017, Population Division, ©(2017) United Nations ([cited 2017 Oct 16]. Available from: https://esa.un.org/unpd/wpp/DataQuery/). Reprinted with the permission of the United Nations.

• 

  Fig. 2 Postulated relationships between asthma, obesity, and sarcopenia in the elderly.

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  Fig. 3 Urban-rural gradient in the prevalence of rhinitis and rhinoconjunctivitis in the elderly. Reprinted from Song et al. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2015;114:455-61, with permission of Elsevier [35].

• 

  Fig. 4 Mental component scores among elderly subjects with chronic persistent cough and other conditions. HbA1c, glycated hemoglobin. Figure was drawn using the original data published in Song et al. PLoS One 2013;8:e78081 [38].

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