Skip to main content
. 2019 Apr 24;10:750. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00750

Table 1.

Characteristics of the elderly in comparison to the adult group.

Elderly (≥65 years) Adults (18–64 years)
n (%) n (%) Chi2 test
TOTAL 1,123 (16) 5,768 (84)
Median age in years (min–max) 70 (65–93) 45 (18–64)
Male 517 (46) 2,394 (42) p = 0.005
COMORBIDITIES
Atopic 190 (18) 1,628 (30) p < 0.001
Cardiovascular 641 (60) 960 (18) p < 0.001
Mastocytosis 39 (4) 136 (3) NS (p = 0.051)
Thyroid 162 (15) 476 (9) p < 0.001
Urticaria 14 (1) 104 (2) NS
Malignant disease 63 (6) 97 (2) p < 0.001
COFACTORS
Overall 802 (71) 2,897 (54) p < 0.001
Drugs# 614 (57) 991 (18) p < 0.001
Physical exercise 267 (27) 1,609 (31) p = 0.02
Psychological stress 84 (8) 418 (7) NS
Alcohol 48 (5) 326 (7) NS (p = 0.051)
Acute Infection 33 (3) 177 (3) NS
SEVERITY ACCORDING TO RING&MESSMER
Grade II 550 (49) 3,505 (61) p < 0.001
Grade III 525 (47) 2,105 (37) p < 0.001
Grade IV 48 (4) 158 (3) p = 0.023

In total 6,891 cases ≥18 years old were analyzable until March 2017. Statistical calculations were performed with chi2 test including post-hoc corrections. Significant differences were given in comparison to adults between 18 and 64 years of age.

#

Drugs counted as cofactors were ace-inhibitor, AT-2-antagonist, beta-blocker, acetylcholine, and proton pump inhibitor.