Management of allergic disease in the elderly: key considerations, recommendations and emerging therapies.
The number of people over 65 is increasing around the world. At present, between 5 and 10% of allergic diseases affect the elderly. In particular, rhinitis is increasing worldwide; the presence of high comorbidity makes the therapy of asthma even more complicated. With reference to dermatological allergies, the dryness of the skin favors the onset of allergic contact and atopic dermatitis, while the senescence of mucous membranes and the impaired secretion of polymeric IgA could be linked to food allergy. Overcoming the problem of adverse drug reaction is limited by the diagnostic difficulty in patients taking multiple drugs. In addition, some drugs, such as β-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitors and NSAIDs, are relevant factors of urticaria and anaphylaxis. The aim of this review is to provide updated diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines through a better understanding of the pathophysiologic mechanisms, preventive measures and adherence to therapy.
a 1 Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari Medical School, Unit of Geriatric Immunoallergology , Policlinico, piazza G. Cesare n 11, 70124, Bari, Italy.
Maria Teresa
MT
Ventura
b 2 Department of Medicine, University of Palermo , via Trabucco 180, 90146 Palermo, Italy.
Nicola
N
Scichilone
c 3 Otolaryngology Unit, Department of Basic Medical Science, Neuroscience and Sensory Organ, University of Bari , Piazza G. Cesare n. 11, 70124 Bari, Italy.
Matteo
M
Gelardi
d 4 Post Doctoral Program in Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Federico II University via s Pansini , m.5,80131 Napoli, Italy.
Vincenzo
V
Patella
e 5 Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Parma , via Gramsci 14, 43120 Parma, Italy.
Erminia
E
Ridolo
D000375:Aging / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006299:Health Services for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance
AIT-allergen immunotherapy; allergic asthma; allergic rhinitis; anaphylaxis; dermatological allergies; drug allergy; elderly; food allergy; immunosenescence