Older
asthmatics have increased cancer risk
Newswise — New
research shows that older adults with asthma are at an
increased risk for developing cancer, and adults with
asthma are twice as likely to suffer from heart disease
and other chronic health conditions.
A study in the
February issue of CHEST, the peer-reviewed journal of
the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP), shows
that adults with asthma over age 55 have an increased
risk of developing cancer, compared with adults without
asthma. Furthermore, the study shows that adults with
asthma are twice as likely than those without asthma to
suffer from at least one comorbid chronic condition,
including heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, stroke,
cancer, and osteoporosis.
“Asthma and
allergy-related diseases are usually associated with
lower cancer levels. However, our study found an
increased cancer risk among older patients with asthma,”
said the study's lead author Robert J. Adams, MD, The
Queen Elizabeth Hospital, University of Adelaide, South
Australia.
Australian researchers
examined the prevalence of common, chronic medical
conditions in adults with and without asthma and how
comorbid chronic health conditions affect quality of
life. Asthma status, demographics, quality-of-life
scores, and information about work/activity impairment
were gathered from 7,619 adults in three Australian
states. Of those surveyed, 834 adults reported current
doctor-diagnosed asthma. Overall, adults with asthma
were twice as likely as those without asthma to report
having other chronic conditions, with the most prominent
conditions being heart disease and stroke. For those
over age 55, cancer was significantly more prominent
than in adults under age 55. All other chronic
conditions, except diabetes, were significantly more
common in older adults with asthma. Among adults with
asthma aged between 35 and 54 years, arthritis was
substantially increased in frequency.
“Asthma's link to
other chronic conditions appears to be age-related. As
adults with asthma age, the likelihood of developing
other chronic conditions becomes greater,” said study
co-author Richard E. Ruffin, MD, FCCP, The Queen
Elizabeth Hospital, University of Adelaide, South
Australia. “Clinicians caring for older adults with
asthma need to consider comorbid chronic conditions when
developing asthma action plans. Young adults with
asthma, who are at risk for developing other chronic
conditions, also should be targeted for primary or early
secondary prevention of these conditions.” Researchers
stress that following the principles of a healthy
lifestyle, such as healthy eating, good asthma control
with minimal medication, and annual medical exams, will
help reduce a person's risk of developing chronic health
conditions.
Although it is unclear
which condition developed first, researchers believe a
number of factors may contribute to the co-occurrence of
asthma and other chronic conditions.
“It is possible that
respiratory problems related to asthma may limit a
patient's activity, which can lead to weight gain and
associated chronic conditions like diabetes, heart
disease, arthritis, and sleep disorders,” said Dr.
Ruffin. “Depression is common for patients with chronic
conditions and may contribute to further decreased
health and quality of life.”
Overall, people with
asthma were more likely to report recent impairment in
work or usual activities, decreased physical health, and
significant impairment in physical quality of life due
to illness. The additional presence of any of the
chronic conditions was associated with significant
further impairment of physical health and quality of
life. Physical scores also were much lower in people
with both asthma and the chronic conditions then would
be expected from asthma or a chronic condition alone.
The negative impact of combining asthma with other
chronic conditions was not seen in adults under 35 but
was significant in adults over 35 years and became more
marked in those aged 55 years and over.
“Asthma continues to
be a major public health concern, contributing to
decreased quality of life for patients and increased
health-care costs for our communities,” said W. Michael
Alberts, MD, FCCP, President of the American College of
Chest Physicians. “By understanding how asthma relates
to other chronic conditions, medical professionals can
create comprehensive and more effective asthma
management plans for their patients.”
CHEST is a
peer-reviewed journal published by the ACCP. It is
available online each month at www.chestjournal.org. The
ACCP represents 16,500 members who provide clinical
respiratory, sleep, critical care, and cardiothoracic
patient care in the United States and throughout the
world.