Abstract
The aging population is further growing at an increasing rate, and asthma is common in the elderly population. To improve the management of asthma in the entire population, it is crucial to understand the pathophysiology of asthma in the elderly. With increasing age, the structural changes including chest wall rigidity, reduced respiratory muscle strength, and changes in the lung parenchyma occur and immunosenescence appears in both the innate and adaptive immune responses. Asthma in the elderly is often underdiagnosed and undertreated because of impaired cognition, inappropriate medication use, various comorbidities, and polypharmacy. As for treatment, confirming the adherence to treatment, inhalation procedures, and sufficient inspiratory flow rate is important before stepping up the treatment. This chapter discusses the epidemiology and phenotypes of asthma in elderly patients, the structural and biological changes in the airways, and how aging can influence the presentation of asthma, along with problems in diagnosis and management.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Asthma in the 21st Century |
| Subtitle of host publication | New Research Advances |
| Publisher | Elsevier |
| Pages | 217-230 |
| Number of pages | 14 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9780323854191 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9780323854207 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 1 Jan 2023 |
Keywords
- Aging
- Asthma
- Elderly
- Frail
- Immunosenescence
- Inflammaging
- Microscopic emphysema
- Phenotype
- Polypharmacy
- Underperception
