Allergic diseases in the elderly

Abstract

Demographic distribution of the population is progressively changing with the proportion of elderly persons increasing in most societies. This entails that there is a need to evaluate the impact of common diseases, such as asthma and other allergic conditions, in this age segment. Frailty, comorbidities and polymedication are some of the factors that condition management in geriatric patients. The objective of this review is to highlight the characteristics of allergic diseases in older age groups, from the influence of immunosenescence, to particular clinical implications and management issues, such as drug interactions or age-related side effects.

Allergic Disorders at a Venerable Age: A Mini-Review

“…Assessment of asthma control includes clinical manifestations (symptoms, nocturnal awakening, use of reliever medications, limitation of activities, lung function) and also the expected future risk to the patient (exacerbations, accelerated decline in lung function, and side effects of treatment). In planning a medical regimen, it is essential to bear in mind these issues as well as possible drug interactions, the patient's ability to use inhalers, and nonadherence, defined as not taking medication in the way that was agreed upon [11,22,24]. The medical literature is immense in reports of clinical trials in asthma, but to their discredit these trials routinely exclude the elderly, smokers and patients with concomitant COPD or congestive heart failure.…”

“…It may be beneficial to administer their pneumococcal vaccination more frequently than every 5-10 years. There is little enthusiasm for specific allergen immunotherapy administered by subcutaneous injection to elderly patients with asthma [11]. One retrospective study reports that sublingual allergen-specific immunotherapy reduces symptoms, drug consumption and disease progression in elderly subjects with mild bronchial asthma who are allergic to house-dust mites [39].…”

“…Current pharmacological remedies for allergic disorders, although reasonably safe and effective, do not alter the course of disease and provide relief only as long as they are adhered to. Most patients with allergic disorders benefit from avoiding offending agents and taking anti-inflammatory medications for the long term [11]. …”

Principais sensibilizantes em pacientes idosos e não idosos com dermatite de contato

“…Em relação à idade, existem poucos trabalhos abordando os quadros alérgicos em idosos [16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29], sendo que dois estudos nacionais apontaram uma alta prevalência de manifestações cutâneas nessa faixa etária, entre as quais a DC [21] e o prurido, como sintoma isolado [22].…”

Efficiency of antifungal sublingual allergen-specific immunotherapy in patients under and over 50 years old with mild persistent and moderate bronchial asthma

“…Частота розповсюдження гіпертонічної хво-роби (ГХ) у хворих на бронхо-легеневу патологію складає від 4 % до 27 %, а у старших вікових групах -62 % [1]. Зростання числа хворих з поєднанням ГХ і хронічного обструктивного захворювання легень (ХОЗЛ) зумовлено як підвищенням захворюваності на ці захворювання, так і збільшенням геріатричної популяції хворих, у яких дана патологія дуже поши-рена [2].…”