Adult asthma symptoms
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Consensus Meter
Adult Asthma Symptoms: An Overview
Prevalence and Changes in Asthma Symptoms with Age
Asthma Symptom Trends in Aging Adults
Research indicates that the prevalence of certain asthma symptoms changes as adults age. A longitudinal study involving European adults born between 1946 and 1970 found that over a 20-year period, the prevalence of wheezing and wheezing without a cold decreased significantly. However, there was an increase in the prevalence of asthma attacks, use of asthma medication, and hay fever/nasal allergies. These changes were particularly notable among individuals who quit smoking and those who had hay fever or nasal allergies at the study's baseline.
Transition from Childhood to Adulthood
Asthma often transitions from childhood into adulthood, with varying symptom persistence. Some individuals experience symptoms throughout their life, influenced by factors such as genetics, family history, early-life infections, and allergic diseases. Conversely, many children outgrow their asthma symptoms by adolescence, especially males and those with milder, less allergic forms of the disease. However, new-onset asthma symptoms can appear in adulthood, particularly in women and those with impaired lung function, often linked to allergic diseases and airway hyper-responsiveness.
Diagnosis and Comorbidities
Clinical Diagnosis and Comorbid Conditions
Asthma in adults is characterized by airway inflammation, variable airflow obstruction, and bronchial hyperresponsiveness. Diagnosis typically involves clinical history and physical examination, supplemented by objective measures like pulmonary function testing. Common comorbidities include rhinitis, sinusitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, obstructive sleep apnea, and depression, with an allergic component often present.
Misdiagnosis Issues
Misdiagnosis of asthma is a significant issue, often due to the failure to confirm airflow limitation using spirometry, the variability of asthma symptoms, and the complexity of its phenotypes. Misdiagnosis can lead to unnecessary medication use, increased healthcare costs, and missed opportunities to address the true cause of respiratory symptoms.
Factors Influencing Asthma Severity
Severe Adult-Onset Asthma
Severe adult-onset asthma is a distinct phenotype characterized by high symptom scores, poor quality of life, and a need for high-intensity treatment. Patients with severe asthma often exhibit nonatopic characteristics, higher levels of exhaled nitric oxide, increased blood neutrophil counts, and sputum eosinophilia. These findings suggest that severe adult-onset asthma has unique underlying mechanisms compared to milder forms of the disease.
Impact of Respiratory Viruses
Respiratory viruses play a significant role in exacerbating asthma symptoms in adults. Studies have shown that colds and respiratory infections are frequently associated with asthma exacerbations, leading to significant reductions in peak expiratory flow rates. Viruses such as rhinoviruses, coronaviruses, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus are commonly linked to these exacerbations.
Management and Treatment
Treatment Approaches
The primary goal of asthma treatment is to achieve good control of symptoms and minimize the risk of exacerbations. This involves a stepwise approach using anti-inflammatory and bronchodilator treatments, with regular assessment and re-evaluation of symptom control, risk factors, and patient satisfaction. In older adults, careful monitoring of medication use and adverse effects is crucial due to the higher likelihood of side effects.
Emerging Therapies
New biological therapies and developments in biomarkers offer opportunities for more personalized treatment of severe asthma. These advancements aim to address the specific phenotypes and underlying mechanisms of the disease, potentially improving outcomes for patients with severe refractory asthma.
Conclusion
Asthma in adults presents a complex and evolving challenge, with symptoms and severity influenced by a range of factors including age, smoking status, comorbidities, and respiratory infections. Accurate diagnosis, effective management, and personalized treatment approaches are essential to improve the quality of life for adults living with asthma.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic