
Respiratory symptoms could be a better predictor of life expectancy in older adults, reports a new study. The findings of the study are published in the journal Respirology .
New research suggests that some respiratory symptoms may predict an earlier death in older adults. Also, such predictions differ by smoking status.
In the study of 2087 older Australians with 22 years of follow-up, shortness of breath predicted a shorter life expectancy irrespective of smoking status. Cough in former smokers and wheeze in current smokers predicted shorter life expectancy.
"If older people are experiencing even mild respiratory symptoms, they may benefit from visiting their general practitioner for further investigations," said lead author Kate Petrie, of Monash University, in Australia.
Source: Eurekalert