Incidence of allergic diseases in an elderly population

Abstract

Recent years have shown a progressive increase of allergic disease in the elderly population worldwide. Naturally, this phenomenon has coincided with attempts to guarantee the best possible quality of life for this age group. As a result, diseases that were previously overlooked are attracting ever greater attention. An epidemiological study of allergic manifestations in the elderly conducted in all consecutive patients referred to an Allergology Unit over a three-month period at the beginning of 2008 showed that 15% belonged to the elderly population and among these, 51.8 % were suffering from an allergic reaction to drugs. Skin manifestations, including both urticaria and eczema, accounted for 71.4% of cases but only in 13.8% of these patients was there a diagnosis of an allergic reaction made and the allergen responsible individuated. Rhinitis was present in 16.8 % of the patients and food allergy in 8 %. Certainly, age-induced modifications in the immunological system can be responsible for allergic reactions. In fact, non specific immunity components such as the production of mucus or a reduced function of the T- and IL-2 cells can induce the onset of symptoms referable to allergic disease.

Further studies are ongoing to gain a better understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms that could justify the development in the elderly population of a cytokine phenotype that is more prone to develop allergic manifestations, and to assess the true incidence of respiratory, food and drug allergies in this stage of life.

Keywords::

• Elderly
• Adverse drug reaction
• food allergy
• allergic contact dermatitis
• allergic rhinitis
• allergic asthma

Acknowledgements

It has not been published before, and it is not under consideration for publication in any other journals. It contains no matter that is scandalous, obscene, libelous, or otherwise contrary to law. I have declared potential conflicts of interest and any relevant financial relationships I or my co-authors may have with third parties.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.