Breathlessness in the Older Adult: Is it Asthma?

Access the program online
(http://www.rhef.com.au/programs/program-1/?program_id=326&group_id=34)

Program summary

Older adults may consider their breathlessness to be a frustrating but natural consequence of ageing, unaware that respiratory disease might be the cause. Yet the prevalence of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) both increase with age.

The risk of dying from asthma also increases with age, and acute asthma attacks are more rapidly fatal in older adults. However, up to one-third of elderly people with asthma are not identified as such by their doctors through a combination of under-reporting of symptoms and complexity of diagnosis. COPD is also under-diagnosed in the elderly.

This program covers the differential diagnosis and management of asthma in older adults with breathlessness, with interrelated discussion of COPD. The distinction between asthma and COPD is important, even when they co-exist, as there are significant differences in the optimal management of each condition. Clinical case studies are used to frame the discussion.

Learning outcomes

After viewing the program, participants will be able to:

• Recognise the prevalence of asthma and COPD in older adults.
• Improve their ability to assess and diagnose asthma and COPD in older adults with breathlessness, including when to use spirometry.
• Identify appropriate management strategies for older adults with asthma and/or COPD, including indications for combination therapy and the role of vaccination.
• Understand the effects of ageing (eg impaired cognitive status, dexterity and eyesight) on self-management of asthma and COPD.

Speakers

• Chair: Dr Norman Swan, Presenter of the Health Report on ABC Radio National
• Assoc Prof Christine McDonald, Respiratory Physician, Austin and Repatriation Medical Centre, Melbourne, VIC
• Dr Gary Kilov, General Practitioner, Clarinda Clinic, Melbourne, VIC
• Ms Toni Riley, Community Pharmacist, Bendigo, VIC
• Ms Vanessa McDonald, Respiratory CNC, Hunter New England Health, Newcastle, NSW
  

Duration

60 minutes.

Broadcast details

This live program will be broadcast on Channel 4 of the Foundation's satellite network on Tuesday 9 September 2008 at:

• 8.00pm in ACT, NSW, VIC, QLD & TAS.
• 7.30pm in SA & NT.
• 6.00pm in WA (& repeated in WA at 8.00pm on channel 23).

The program will be repeated on Channel 23 of the Foundation's satellite network on Friday 12 September 2008 at:

• 12.30pm in ACT, NSW, VIC, QLD & TAS.
• 12 noon in SA & NT.
• 10.30am in WA.