EFFECT OF AGE ON BRONCHODILATOR RESPONSE IN ACUTE SEVERE ASTHMA-TREATMENT

Study objectives: This study was designed to evaluate the effects of a ge on bronchodilator response to salbutamol in patients with acute sev ere asthma in the emergency department. Subjects and methods: Sixty-fo ur sequential patients (mean age, 34.2+/-10.7 years) with acute asthma were enrolled in the trial. Using age as a major criterion, we divide d the sample in two groups: the young one (age less than or equal to 3 5 years, n=30) and the older (>35 years, n=34). All patients were trea ted with salbutamol delivered with metered-dose inhaler into a spacer device, in a dose of four puffs every 10 min (100 mu g per actuation) during 3 h. Results: Mean FEV1 improved significantly over baseline va lues for both groups (p=0.001). At final disposition, the mean percent of predicted FEV1 was 55.1+/-16.3% in the young group and 58.0+/-20.9 % in the older group, There were no significant differences between bo th groups for FEV, percent response at any point studied, A significan t increase in heart rate over baseline was seen in the older group (p= 0.001). Older patients also presented a higher incidence in nausea and tremor, Young and older patients with acute asthma achieved equivalen t bronchodilation response to salbutamol. Conclusions: We concluded th at age is not a predictor of response to beta-agonists.