Volume 182 - Issue 9
Impact of smoking, diabetes and hypertension on survival in the elderly: the Dubbo Study
Authors: Leon A Simons and Judith Simons
Med J Aust 2005; 182 (9): 495-496. || doi: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2005.tb06799.x
Published online: 2 May 2005
Published online: 2 May 2005
Leon A Simons,* Judith Simons†
* Director, Dubbo Study of the elderly, † Data Manager, Lipid Department, St Vincent’s Hospital, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010. L.SimonsATnotes.med.unsw.edu.au
In reply: The prospective Dubbo Study of the elderly has produced a series of publications in which reduced peak expiratory flow (PEF) has been shown to be associated with increased risk of death,1,2 as well as increased risk of heart attack,3 ischaemic stroke4 and admission to a nursing home. 5 We have employed a purely statistical definition of impaired PEF, namely the lowest third of our sex-specific population distribution. We agree that many subjects so defined with impaired PEF, and who are smokers, will have underlying and potentially undiagnosed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Epidemiological studies have highlighted the importance of impaired PEF. It is now time for health professionals to implement the COPDX management guidelines referred to by Frith6 in a still more effective manner and to devise better prevention programs.
References
- Simons LA, McCallum J, Simons J, Friedlander Y. Relationship of peak expiratory flow rate with mortality and ischaemic heart disease in elderly Australians. Med J Aust 1997; 166: 526-529.
- Simons LA, Simons J, McCallum J, Friedlander Y. Impact of smoking, diabetes and hypertension on survival time in the elderly: the Dubbo Study. Med J Aust 2005; 182: 219-222. <eMJA full text>
- Simons LA, Simons J, Friedlander Y, McCallum J. Risk factors for acute myocardial infarction in the elderly (the Dubbo Study). Am J Cardiol 2002; 89: 69-72. i1085703
- Simons LA, McCallum J, Friedlander Y, Simons J. Risk factors for ischemic stroke: Dubbo Study of the elderly. Stroke 1998; 29: 1341-1346. i1085705
- McCallum J, Simons LA, Simons J, Friedlander Y. Patterns and predictors of nursing home placement over 14 years: the Dubbo Study of elderly Australians. Aust J Ageing 2005. In press. BABDHADB
- McKenzie DK, Frith PA, Burdon JG, Town GI. The COPDX Plan: Australian and New Zealand guidelines for the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 2003. Med J Aust 2003; 178(Suppl): S1-S40. <eMJA full text>
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