A population-based study of asthma, quality of life, and occupation among elderly Hispanic and non-Hispanic whites: a cross-sectional investigation

Background: The U. S. population is aging and is expected to double by the year 2030. The current study evaluated the prevalence of asthma and its correlates in the elderly Hispanic and non-Hispanic white population. Methods: Data from a sample of 3021 Hispanics and non-Hispanic White subjects, 65 years and older, interviewed as part of an ongoing cross-sectional study of the elderly in west Texas, were analyzed. The outcome variable was categorized into: no asthma ( reference category), current asthma, and probable asthma. Polytomous logistic regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between the outcome variable and various socio-demographic measures, self-rated health, asthma symptoms, quality of life measures (SF-12), and various occupations. Results: The estimated prevalence of current asthma and probable asthma were 6.3% (95% CI: 5.3 - 7.2) and 9.0% ( 95% CI: 7.8 - 10.1) respectively. The majority of subjects with current asthma ( Mean SF-12 score 35.8, 95% CI: 34.2 - 37.4) or probable asthma (35.3, 34.0 - 36.6) had significantly worse physical health-related quality of life as compared to subjects without asthma ( 42.6, 42.1 - 43.1). In multiple logistic regression analyses, women had a 1.64 times greater odds of current asthma ( 95% CI: 1.12 - 2.38) as compared to men. Hay fever was a strong predictor of both current and probable asthma. The odds of current asthma were 1.78 times ( 95% CI: 1.24 - 2.55) greater among past smokers; whereas the odds of probable asthma were 2.73 times ( 95% CI: 1.77 - 4.21) greater among current smokers as compared to nonsmokers. Similarly fair/poor self rated health and complaints of severe pain were independently associated with current and probable asthma. The odds of current and probable asthma were almost two fold greater for obesity. When stratified by gender, the odds were significantly greater among females (p-value for interaction term = 0.038). The odds of current asthma were significantly greater for farm-related occupations ( adjusted OR = 2.09, 95% CI: 1.00 - 4.39); whereas the odds were significantly lower among those who reported teaching as their longest held occupation ( adjusted OR = 0.36, 95% CI = 0.18 - 0.74). Conclusion: This study found that asthma is a common medical condition in the elderly and it significantly impacts quality of life and general health status. Results support adopting an integrated approach in identifying and controlling asthma in this population.