Asthma in the Elderly

Clin Geriatr Med. 2017 Nov;33(4):523-537. doi: 10.1016/j.cger.2017.06.005. Epub 2017 Jul 29.

Abstract

The older population has seen the greatest increase in the prevalence of current asthma in recent years. Asthma may begin at any age and when it occurs at an advanced as opposed to a young age, it is often nonatopic, severe, and unremitting. Unfortunately, geriatric-specific guidelines are not available for the diagnosis and treatment of asthma. However, with objective monitoring, avoidance of asthma triggers, appropriate pharmacotherapy, and patient education, the disease can be managed successfully.

Keywords: Aging; Asthma; Lung function; Overlap syndrome; Phenotypes.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aging / physiology*
  • Asthma* / diagnosis
  • Asthma* / epidemiology
  • Asthma* / therapy
  • Humans
  • Patient Care Management / methods*
  • Prevalence