Asthma in the elderly: current knowledge and future directions.
OBJECTIVE
Asthma is a common disease in the older population that is frequently undiagnosed and undertreated. We will review the current knowledge of asthma in the elderly (AIE) and shed light on the diagnostic and management challenges outlining needs for future research.


RESULTS
There has been very little original research in the field of AIE published in the last few years, and current literature focuses primarily on a series of review articles. AIE often presents with multiple comorbidities, which complicates its course and management. There is renewed interest in nonallergic (intrinsic) asthma. T helper cell 1 inflammation triggered by respiratory infection, superantigens, proteases and interleukin 17 are possible mechanisms. An association between systemic inflammation in frailty and asthma may also be important.


CONCLUSIONS
The diagnosis and treatment of AIE requires that the individual patient and his or her specific triggers and the likely pathophysiology be understood. Understanding the mechanisms of inflammation in this population is key to improved therapeutic interventions.
Division of Allergy and Immunology, College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 7574, USA. mking@hsc.usf.edu
Monroe James
MJ
King
Nicola A
NA
Hanania
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010641:Phenotype; D012307:Risk Factors
D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents