Abstract
Asthma is frequent among older people. Nevertheless, under-recognition, misdiagnosis and under-treatment are still relevant issues. We aim to provide an overview of epidemiology of asthma in the elderly, and a thorough description of its pathology and clinical presentation, with special emphasis on the distinction of late versus early-onset asthma. We also discuss selected treatment topics of special interest for older patients, such as compliance with therapy and ability with the inhalers, which are basic to the success of the prescribed therapy. Finally, we suggest that multidimensional geriatric assessment of older asthmatics could help in tailoring the therapy to the individual needs and capacity.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.