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[Chronic cough in the elderly is associated with expiratory flow limitation].

Authors :: Frappé E
Gautier-Guillot M
Barthélémy JC
Maudoux D
Roche F
Costes F
Source :: Revue des maladies respiratoires [Rev Mal Respir] 2013 Mar; Vol. 30 (3), pp. 179-86. Date of Electronic Publication: 2012 Dec 13.
Publication Year :: 2013
Abstract: As chronic respiratory symptoms and the presence of expiratory flow limitation (EFL) are commonly reported in the elderly, we investigated whether they were associated in a population of 75 years old volunteers. We analyzed the results of a prevalence survey of chronic respiratory symptoms and respiratory infections, and performed spirometry and measured EFL after application of a negative expiratory pressure at the mouth (NEP). EFL was present in 170 (46%) subjects, a chronic cough in 49 (13%), chronic sputum in 58 (29%) and a history of respiratory infection in 62 (17%). Chronic cough and the composite outcome "chronic cough or sputum" were significantly associated with the presence of EFL (respectively 60% vs. 43%, OR=2.04 [1.09 to 3.78], P=0.023, and 56% vs. 43%, OR=1.74 [1.05 to 2.87], P=0.04), after controlling for smoking or airway obstruction. History of respiratory infections were not associated with an increased prevalence of EFL. We concluded that the presence of a LED could be an interesting indicator of respiratory aging. Its detection could be advocated in elderly subjects presenting with respiratory symptoms.<br /> (Copyright © 2012 SPLF. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)