Allergy and asthma medication use in home‐dwelling U.S. older adults

Abstract

Background: Little is known about the use of allergy and asthma medications in older adults. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of use of these medications in older adults and evaluate predictors of their use. Methods: Cross-sectional study using data from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project, a nationally representative sample of community dwelling, U.S. adults 57–85 years (n=2976) collected in 2005–6. We determined prevalence of medication use and used logistic regression to evaluate socio-demographic and health factors associated with their use. Results: Overall prevalence of allergy medication usage was 8.4% (most commonly antihistamines), and prevalence of asthma medication usage was 8.0% (most commonly bronchodilators). Allergy medication use was significantly associated with history of asthma (OR 2.37, 95% CI 1.52–3.69), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (OR 2.35, 95% CI 1.58–3.51), or nasal surgery (OR 1.97, 95% CI 1.00–3.86). Older age was associated with decreased allergy medication use (per decade, OR 0.80, 95% CI 0.66–0.98). Although increased education was associated with increased overall allergy medication use, it was associated with decreased use of allergy medications generally contraindicated in the elderly. In contrast, the only significant predictors of asthma medication use were history of asthma (OR 19.66, 95% CI 3.18–121.70) or COPD (OR 4.25, 95%CI 0.88–20.44). Conclusion: Allergy and asthma medication use is prevalent among older adults and driven mostly by history of asthma or COPD. Additional socio-demographic factors predict allergy (but not asthma) medication use. Further studies are needed to evaluate efficacy of these drugs in the elderly.