title: Differentiating the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the elderly patient.
abstract: The focus of this case is a 70-year-old female who was admitted to an assisted living community following a hospitalization for a severe asthma exacerbation. The diagnosis of asthma in the geriatric patient is often under-recognized, misdiagnosed, and improperly managed. Several factors may explain the misclassification and the undertreatment of asthma in the older patient. This case discusses the pharmacotherapeutic management of asthma in the geriatric patient and differentiates the clinical features of asthma from that of chronic obstructive lung disease. The comprehensive management of asthma should include an interprofessional approach because the consultant pharmacist is an essential member of the health care team.
authors.affiliation: Creighton University School of Pharmacy and Health Professions, Omaha, NE 68178, USA. edavis@creighton.edu
authors.forename: Estella
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: Kelli
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Coover
authors.forename: Lee
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Morrow
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Malesker
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001249:Asthma / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010595:Pharmacists; D024382:Professional Role; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000628:therapy*