Comorbidities and risk factors 2017-2018 (AIHW)

13.3% of people with asthma over the age of 45 have diabetes, compared to 10.5% of people without asthma
16.8% of people with asthma over the age of 45 have COPD, compared to 3.1% of people without asthma

People who are overweight or obese are more likely to have asthma, than people who are a normal weight.

74.2% of people with asthma over the age of 18 are overweight or obese, compared to 66% of people without asthma
42.3% of people with asthma over the age of 18 are obese, compared to 29.9% of people without asthma

Prevalence of other chronic conditions in people aged 45 and over with and without asthma, 2017–18
Chronic conditions with asthma (%) without asthma (%)
Arthritis 49.2 32.0
Back problems 36.5 24.3
Cancer (malignant neoplasms) 5.1 4.0
COPD 16.8 3.1
Diabetes mellitus 13.3 10.5
Heart, stroke and vascular disease 15.3 10.5
Mental and behavioural conditions 32.9 19.9
Osteoporosis 14.9 8.4
Kidney disease 2.9 1.9
Age standardised rate
Arthritis 48.2 30.6
Back problems 36.6 24.0
Cancer (malignant neoplasms) 5.1 3.9
COPD 16.6 2.9
Diabetes mellitus 12.8 10.0
Heart, stroke and vascular disease 14.7 10.1
Mental and behavioural conditions 32.9 19.9
Osteoporosis 14.6 8.1
Kidney disease 3.0 1.9

 

Comorbidity of selected chronic conditions in people aged 45 and over with asthma, 2017–18
Number %
None (asthma only) 233,000 19.8
One 318,000 27.0
Two or more 625,000 53.1
Total population 1,177,000 100
Prevalence of selected risk factors in people aged 18 and over with and without asthma, 2017–18
Risk factors Per cent
With asthma Current daily smoker 16.9
Insufficient physical activity 58.5
Obese 42.3
Without asthma Current daily smoker 13.4
Insufficient physical activity 54.1
Obese 29.9
 Physical activity in people aged 18 and over with and without asthma, 2017–18
Activity Per cent
With asthma Insufficient physical activity 58.5
Sufficient physical activity 41.5
Without asthma Insufficient physical activity 54.1
Sufficient physical activity 45.9
Body mass index (BMI) distribution for people aged 18 and over with and without asthma, 2017–18
BMI Per cent
With asthma Underweight 0.7
Normal 25.1
Overweight 31.9
Obese 42.3
Without asthma Underweight 1.4
Normal 32.6
Overweight 36.1
Obese 29.9
Prevalence of risk factors in people aged 18 and over with asthma, 2017–18
Risk factors 18–44 (%) 45–64 (%) 65 and over (%)
Currently daily smoker 18.9 19.6 7.6
Insufficient physical activity 49.5 60.3 75.7
Obese 34.7 48.2 49.2
Categories: Comorbidities and Risk Factors
Author: Rose
Entry Date: 01/07/2021
Source 1 Name: AIHW 2019, Data tables: asthma, associated comorbidities and risk factors 2017-2018, Canberra: AIHW
Source 1 URL: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/chronic-respiratory-conditions/asthma-associated-comorbidities-risk-factors/data