Assessing Lung Disease among Elderly Exposed to Risky Health Behavior

Author Raman Mishra
Co-Author Monica
DOI

Country : India
Subject : Population Studies

Keywords : Lung Disease, Elderly, Smoking and Drinking

Abstract

As the population ages, the health of the individuals get affected and the burden of disease increases. In developing countries there is an increase in non-communicable diseases such as heart disease, lung disease, asthma, obesity, diabetes etc. According to WHO sponsored Study of Global AGEing and Adult Health (SAGE 2007) which was implemented in the states of Assam, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and West Bengal, non-communicable disease like lung disease was found to be prevalent in India among elderly. By analyzing the data of 6560 individuals of 50 years and above age group the objective of this study is to look for factors affecting lung disease and to find out the risk association among tobacco and alcohol users with lung disease. Odds ratio is calculated by using Mantel Haenszal test statistics, where tobacco use is taken as a confounder variable to find out the adjusted odds ratio between lung disease and alcohol. A causal analysis (logistic regression) was done to find out the odds ratio at 95% significance interval to determine the factors affecting lung disease. Mantel Haenszal test statistics shows that there is a relationship between alcohol use and lung disease after controlling the tobacco use. Older persons exposed to consumption of alcohol and tobacco use are at greater risk of developing lung disease; Age, income and physical activity are also an important factor in developing disease, whereas females are less prone in developing lung disease.

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