# Age-related differences in patient-reported quality of care among adult German patients with bronchial asthma: a cross-sectional study

## TL;DR

This study found small but meaningful differences in reported asthma care quality among German patients of different ages, especially older women.

## Contribution

The study identifies age-related patterns in patient-reported asthma care quality, emphasizing the need for age-sensitive approaches in primary care.

## Key findings

- Older adults, especially women aged 65–74, reported higher health-related quality of life (HRQoL).
- Patients aged ≥75 had better asthma control scores compared to younger groups.
- Adults aged 65–74 rated organizational aspects of care more favorably, particularly women.

## Abstract

Limited evidence exists on age-related differences in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and patient-reported outcome and experience measures (PROMs/PREMs) among asthma patients. This study analysed data from 765 adults in the German PROMchronic trial, comparing generic HRQoL, asthma-control, and PREMs across age groups (18–44, 45–64, 65–74, ≥75 years), with analyses stratified by gender. Older adults, particularly women aged 65–74 years, reported slightly higher HRQoL (p = 0.004, η² = 0.017), and ≥75 aged reported better asthma control scores (p = 0.012, Cliffs Delta = 0.261). Categorical asthma control and most PREM domains did not differ significantly. Organisational aspects of care were rated more favourably by adults aged 65–74 years (p = 0.040, Cramér’s V = 0.104), especially women. Age-related differences in PROMs and PREMs were small. These findings suggest subtle but relevant patterns in patient-reported quality of asthma care and support age-sensitive, patient-centred approaches in primary care.