Risk factors related to chronic breathlessness in the ageing population

Project Summary

Breathlessness is a common troublesome symptom in the older general population. Among the population 70 years or older, around 33% suffers from unpleasant breathlessness, while 17% live with breathlessness that limits the ability to perform activities of daily life. Breathlessness is associated with adverse health outcomes such as earlier death, physical limitation, and overall impaired quality of life. The knowledge on risk factors for breathlessness among older people is sparse as there is a lack of studies that followed participants over time. In this project, we will conduct longitudinal analyses of risk factors for breathlessness, such as lung and heart diseases, obesity, stress and depression. The knowledge gained from this project will provide stronger and more reliable evidence of the contribution of risk factors to breathlessness among older adults and can help to inform public health policies on chronic breathlessness prevention and management among older adults.