Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the lifetime prevalence and risk factors for allergic rhinitis and asthma in geriatric outpatients in three big cities of our country. Elderly patients visiting geriatric outpatient clinics at university hospitals were included in this study. Two questionnaires were completed by trained investigators in face-to-face interviews of 236 people aged 65–100 years. The median age was 73.71±7.09 year, and 63% participants were female. The prevalence of allergic rhinitis and asthma was found 15.3 % (n=36) and 10.2 % (n=24), respectively. The frequency of allergic rhinitis and asthma was high in females, in those with low education levels, in city, in persons having family history of atopy and in smokers, but it wasn’t statistically significant. Allergic diseases affect the elderly as well as young people. Female sex, low educational level, smoking, and living in a city are among the important risk factors for allergic rhinitis and asthma in the elderly.

Key words: Eelderly, allergic rhinitis, asthma