Cough in the Elderly Population: Relationships with Multiple Comorbidity

Abstract

BackgroundThe epidemiology of cough in the elderly population has not been studied comprehensively. The present study aimed to investigate the epidemiology of cough in a community elderly population, particularly in relation with their comorbidity.MethodsA cross-sectional analysis was performed using a baseline dataset from the Korean Longitudinal Study on Health and Aging, a community-based elderly population cohort study. Three types of cough (frequent cough, chronic persistent cough, and nocturnal cough) were defined using questionnaires. Comorbidity was examined using a structured questionnaire. Health-related quality of life was assessed using the Short Form 36 questionnaire.ResultsThe prevalence was 9.3% for frequent cough, 4.6% for chronic persistent cough, and 7.3% for nocturnal cough. In multivariate logistic regression analyses, smoking, asthma and allergic rhinitis were found to be risk factors for cough in the elderly. Interestingly, among comorbidities, constipation and uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (HbA1c ≥ 8%) were also found to have positive associations with elderly cough. In the Short Form 36 scores, chronic persistent cough was independently related to impairment of quality of life, predominantly in the mental component.ConclusionsCough has a high prevalence and is detrimental to quality of life in the elderly. Associations with smoking, asthma and rhinitis confirmed previous findings in younger populations. Previously unrecognised relationships with constipation and uncontrolled diabetes mellitus suggested the multi-faceted nature of cough in the elderly.

The global epidemiology of chronic cough in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Supporting this hypothesis, we found significant correlations between smoking and chronic cough prevalence. Comorbidities such as obesity or rhinitis might also contribute to the regional variability [11,17]; however, we were unable to examine these relationships, since relevant outcomes were reported in relatively few studies.…”

Prevalencia de síntomas respiratorios y riesgo de obstrucción al flujo aéreo en Ginebra - Valle del Cauca

“…La tos se encontró asociada al consumo de cigarrillo y a la exposición al humo de leña, la relación con la tos y la exposición al cigarrillo y a otros factores ambientales en diferentes grupos etarios es conocida (1,3,35,36,(48)(49)(50), por otra parte, la tos en nuestro estudio puede ser reflejo de enfermedades pulmonares obstructivas, enfermedad pulmonar intersticial, enfermedades ocupacionales y reflujo gastroesofágico (36,48,(51)(52)(53)(54).…”

Chronic cough hypersensitivity syndrome

“…Кроме того, у пожилых прослеживается четкая связь ХК с запорами и сахарным диабетом (СД) [25]. Взаимосвязь ХК и гипотонии толстого ки шечника можно объяснить несколькими факторами.…”

“…Все эти процессы способствуют развитию ГЭР. Од нако эти механизмы нуждаются в дальнейшем изу чении [25].…”

“…У больных СД также наблюдается парестезия гортани, которая может быть самостоятельной при чиной кашля. Кроме того, больные СД нередко при нимают ИАПФ, один из распространенных побоч ных эффектов которых -кашель [25].…”