Asthma in Australia 2008 
Table 3.8
The prevalence and rate ratios associated with selected long-term comorbidities among people with and without asthma by age group, 2004–05
Age group |
Comorbidity |
Current asthma |
No asthma |
Rate ratio |
0–34 years |
Sinusitis and rhinitis |
39.6 (36.6–42.6) |
15.5 (14.7–16.4) |
2.5 (2.3–2.9) |
|
Emphysema and chronic bronchitis |
4.3 (3.1–5.6) |
1.2 (0.9–1.4) |
3.7 (2.2–6.2) |
|
Diabetes mellitus |
n.p. |
0.4 (0.2–0.5) |
n.p. |
|
Heart, stroke and vascular disease |
n.p. |
0.2 (0.1–0.3) |
n.p. |
|
Arthritis and osteoporosis |
3.3 (2.2–4.4) |
1.6 (1.3–1.9) |
2.1 (1.3–3.3) |
|
Mental and behavioural disorders |
12.4 (10.3–14.4) |
6.5 (6.0–7.1) |
1.9 (1.5–2.4) |
|
Cancer |
n.p. |
*0.2 (0.1–0.3) |
n.p. |
35–64 years |
Sinusitis and rhinitis |
44.1 (40.0–48.1) |
23.7 (22.6–24.7) |
1.9 (1.6–2.1) |
|
Emphysema and chronic bronchitis |
12.5 (10.0–15.0) |
2.3 (1.9–2.7) |
5.4 (3.6–8.3) |
|
Diabetes mellitus |
6.5 (4.8–8.3) |
3.9 (3.4–4.4) |
1.7 (1.2–2.4) |
|
Heart, stroke and vascular disease |
6.3 (4.6–8.1) |
3.2 (2.8–3.7) |
2.0 (1.3–2.9) |
|
Arthritis and osteoporosis |
34.8 (31.3–38.3) |
22.3 (21.3–23.2) |
1.6 (1.4–1.8) |
|
Mental and behavioural disorders |
17.3 (14.5–20.2) |
10.5 (9.7–11.2) |
1.7 (1.3–2.1) |
|
Cancer |
4.7 (3.2–6.2) |
1.8 (1.5–2.2) |
2.6 (1.5–4.3) |
65 years and over |
Sinusitis and rhinitis |
28.7 (22.6–34.7) |
18.0 (16.3–19.7) |
1.6 (1.2–2.1) |
|
Emphysema and chronic bronchitis |
24.9 (19.1–30.7) |
6.1 (5.0–7.2) |
4.1 (2.6–6.4) |
|
Diabetes mellitus |
16.3 (11.6–21.0) |
13.4 (11.8–14.9) |
1.2 (0.9–1.7) |
|
Heart, stroke and vascular disease |
21.5 (16.2–26.9) |
18.5 (16.8–20.3) |
1.2 (0.9–1.5) |
|
Arthritis and osteoporosis |
85.5 (81.1–89.9) |
61.7 (59.5–63.8) |
1.4 (1.3–1.5) |
|
Mental and behavioural disorders |
7.5 (4.4–10.5) |
7.0 (5.9–8.1) |
1.1 (0.7–1.7) |
|
Cancer |
*5.9 (3.0–8.7) |
6.2 (5.1–7.2) |
0.9 (0.6–1.6) |
All ages |
Sinusitis and rhinitis |
40.0 (37.7–42.2) |
19.0 (18.4–19.6) |
2.1 (1.9–2.3) |
|
Emphysema and chronic bronchitis |
10.0 (8.7–11.4) |
2.2 (2.0–2.5) |
4.5 (3.5–5.9) |
|
Diabetes mellitus |
4.7 (3.8–5.6) |
3.4 (3.1–3.6) |
1.4 (1.1–1.8) |
|
Heart, stroke and vascular disease |
5.3 (4.3–6.2) |
3.7 (3.4–4.0) |
1.4 (1.1–1.8) |
|
Arthritis and osteoporosis |
25.7 (24.2–27.3) |
17.1 (16.6–17.6) |
1.5 (1.4–1.6) |
|
Mental and behavioural disorders |
13.7 (12.1–15.2) |
8.1 (7.7–8.5) |
1.7 (1.5–2.0) |
|
Cancer |
2.7 (2.0–3.4) |
1.6 (1.4–1.8) |
1.7 (1.2–2.4) |
* Estimate has a relative standard error greater than 25% and should be interpreted with caution.
n.p. Not published (estimate has a relative standard error greater than 45% and is not statistically reliable).
Notes
1. Age-standardised rates shown. Age-standardised to the Australian population as at 30 June 2001.
2. Arthritis includes all types.
3. Cancer describes ‘malignant neoplasm’. People in hospital are excluded from the sample.
4. Mental and behavioural disorders include mood (affective) problems, anxiety-related problems, and behavioural and emotional problems with usual onset in childhood or adolescence.
5. Heart, stroke or vascular disease includes ischaemic heart diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, oedema and heart failure, and diseases of the arteries, arterioles and capillaries.
6. CI = confidence interval.
Source: Australian Centre for Asthma Monitoring (ACAM) analysis of Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) National Health Survey 2004–05 confidentialised unit record files.
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© Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2008