title: Role of allergen sensitization in older adults.
abstract: There is a common perception among physicians and patients that allergic diseases are not relevant in older adults. There is also recognition that innate and adaptive immune functions decline with aging. It is the function of a variety of immune cells in the form of allergic inflammation that is a hallmark of allergic diseases. In fact, there is a fairly consistent observation that measures of allergic sensitization, such as skin prick testing, specific IgE, or total IgE, decline with age. Nonetheless, the association between allergic sensitization and allergic diseases, particularly asthma and allergic rhinitis, remains robust in the older adult population. Consequently, an appropriate evaluation of allergic sensitivities is warranted and indicated in older asthma and rhinitis patients to provide optimal care for the individual and minimize any resultant morbidity and mortality.
authors.affiliation: Division of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, K4/952 CSC, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53792, USA.
authors.forename: Ravi K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Viswanathan
authors.forename: Sameer K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Mathur
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012130:Respiratory Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D007073:Immunoglobulin E