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.