Differences in the Clinical Characteristics of Early- and Late-Onset Asthma in Elderly Patients

Differences between early-onset and late-onset asthma in elderly subjects have not been comprehensively described in China. We conducted a cross-sectional study to determine the phenotypic differences between early-onset asthma (EOA) and late-onset asthma (LOA) in elderly patients. We collected clinical and physiological data from 176 elderly patients with asthma. Participants were divided into two groups: EOA group and LOA group. Demographics, comorbidities, inflammatory parameters, lung function, severity, asthma control, and medication use among EOA and LOA elderly patients were compared. Elderly subjects with EOA had more atopic disease, a stronger positive family history of asthma, higher IgE, and exhaled nitric oxide levels as compared to those with LOA. In contrast, elderly subjects with LOA had lower lung function and more marked fixed airflow obstruction (FAO). Elderly subjects with LOA had a higher incidence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). No differences were observed in age, gender, BMI, history of smoking, severity, and asthma control between the two groups. Both similarities and differences exist between elderly subjects with EOA and those with LOA in China. Further work is required to determine the pathophysiological, clinical, and therapeutic implications for different asthma phenotypes in elderly subjects.