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Benfante A, Tomasello A, Gianquinto E, Cicero MN, Scichilone N. Diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for elderly asthma patients: the importance of multidisciplinary and multidimensional management. Expert Rev Respir Med 2023; 17:459-468. [PMID: 37194689 DOI: 10.1080/17476348.2023.2215432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Asthma is commonly considered a disease of younger ages; however, it is not infrequent to pose a diagnosis of the disease in older individuals. Although current recommendations do not distinguish between young and old asthmatics in terms of diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, asthma in the elderly may present with peculiar features that contribute to complicate its management. AREAS COVERED The current review focuses on the challenges that arise when approaching an older individual with suspected asthma. Age-associated changes of the lung may complicate the diagnostic approach. Measurement of the forced expiratory volume in the first 6 s (FEV6) in an easier and faster alternative to FVC estimation, and residual volume should always be assessed. Older individuals are often affected by concomitant diseases, both age- and drug-related, that need to be considered when approaching elderly asthmatics, since they can affect the efficacy of the treatment as well as the control of the disease. EXPERT OPINION The potential drug to drug interaction should be routinely investigated, and documented in medical records. The effect of aging on the response to pharmacological therapy in older asthmatics should be explored. Therefore, the need of a multidisciplinary and multidimensional approach to the elderly asthmatics is strongly encouraged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alida Benfante
- PROMISE Department, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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Benfante A, Sousa-Pinto B, Pillitteri G, Battaglia S, Fonseca J, Bousquet J, Scichilone N. Applicability of the MASK-Air® App to Severe Asthma Treated with Biologic Molecules: A Pilot Study. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911470. [PMID: 36232771 PMCID: PMC9569460 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
MASK-air®, a good practice of the DG Santé, has been fully validated in allergic rhinitis, but little is known about its applicability to asthmatics. We explored whether the MASK-air® application is applicable to patients with severe asthma. Severe asthmatics were proposed to use the MASK-air® application for 6 months, along with best practice treatment. Treatment of the patients was not changed based on the application results. The evolution of the visual analogue scales (VAS) for asthma, shortness of breath, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, work, and sleep was monitored using MASK-air®. Adherence to MASK-air® and to the asthma treatment was also checked. Thirteen patients reported on 1229 days of MASK-air® use. The average application adherence was 51.8% (range: 19.7–98.9%). There was no correlation between application and medication adherence. Highly variably trends were found for the VAS for asthma. Five patients had over 90% well-controlled days, four had well- or moderately controlled asthma (with up to 20% uncontrolled days), one patient had moderately controlled asthma with approximately 20% uncontrolled days, and one patient had 80% uncontrolled days. Highly significant correlations were found for the VAS for asthma, and other patients reported VASs for work, dyspnea, sleep, and rhinitis. MASK-air® can be used in patients with severe asthma. VAS asthma appears to be an interesting patient-reported outcome highly correlated with dyspnea and impacts on work. Adherence to the application was better than that for rhinitis, but it needs to be improved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alida Benfante
- PROMISE—Dipartimento di Promozione della Salute, Materno-Infantile, di Medicina Interna e Specialistica di Eccellenza “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, Piazza delle Cliniche n. 2, 90127 Palermo, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0916552681
| | - Bernardo Sousa-Pinto
- MEDCIDS—Department of Community Medicine, Information and Health Decision Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
- CINTESIS—Center for Health Technology and Services Research, University of Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
- RISE—Health Research Network, University of Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
| | - Gianluca Pillitteri
- PROMISE—Dipartimento di Promozione della Salute, Materno-Infantile, di Medicina Interna e Specialistica di Eccellenza “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, Piazza delle Cliniche n. 2, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Salvatore Battaglia
- PROMISE—Dipartimento di Promozione della Salute, Materno-Infantile, di Medicina Interna e Specialistica di Eccellenza “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, Piazza delle Cliniche n. 2, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Joao Fonseca
- MEDCIDS—Department of Community Medicine, Information and Health Decision Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
- CINTESIS—Center for Health Technology and Services Research, University of Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
- RISE—Health Research Network, University of Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
| | - Jean Bousquet
- MACVIA-France, 34000 Montpellier, France
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Comprehensive Allergy Center, Charité, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 10099 Berlin, Germany
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, 34295 Montpellier, France
| | - Nicola Scichilone
- PROMISE—Dipartimento di Promozione della Salute, Materno-Infantile, di Medicina Interna e Specialistica di Eccellenza “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, Piazza delle Cliniche n. 2, 90127 Palermo, Italy
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López Moreno NV, Herrera Sánchez DA, Larenas‐Linnemann D. Diagnosis and management of asthma in the elderly. Clin Exp Allergy 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/cea.14190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nancy Valeria López Moreno
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Service Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social Centro Médico Nacional Hospital de Especialidades, Siglo XXI México City Mexico
| | - Diana Andrea Herrera Sánchez
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Service Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Hospital de Especialidades, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI México City Mexico
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Perpiñá M, Gómez-Bastero A, Trisán A, Martínez-Moragón E, Álvarez-Gutiérrez FJ, Urrutia I, Blanco-Aparicio M. Expert consensus recommendations for the management of asthma in older adults. Med Clin (Barc) 2022; 159:53.e1-53.e14. [PMID: 34226059 DOI: 10.1016/j.medcli.2021.04.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Asthma is a public health problem in patients of any age, although there is still a tendency to erroneously assume that it is almost always confined to children and young people. Epidemiological studies indicate that, from the sixth decade of life, the prevalence of this disease in countries such as Spain reaches 6-10%, with a higher prevalence among women aged 64 to 75 years. In addition, two-thirds of asthma deaths occur at this stage of life, resulting in a substantial number of hospital admissions, longer hospital stays and, from a finance point of view, significant direct economic costs. Asthma in older adults (65 years or older) is now a matter of great concern, the reality of which is underestimated and undertreated. It is therefore essential to establish appropriate recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of asthma in the aging population. This consensus, which brings together the latest evidence available, was conceived with this objective. The proposed recommendations/conclusions are the result of a nominal consensus developed throughout 2019 and validated by panellists in successive rounds of voting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Perpiñá
- Servicio de Neumología, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, España
| | | | - Andrea Trisán
- Servicio de Neumología, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, Majadahonda, Madrid, España
| | | | | | - Isabel Urrutia
- Unidad de Asma y Enfermedades Ocupacionales-Medioambientales, Servicio de Neumología, Hospital Galdakao-Usansolo, Bizkaia, España
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Albertson TE, Pugashetti JV, Chau-Etchepare F, Chenoweth JA, Murin S. Pharmacotherapeutic management of asthma in the elderly patient. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2020; 21:1991-2010. [PMID: 32686969 DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2020.1795131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Asthma is a heterogeneous syndrome with variable phenotypes. Reversible airway obstruction and airway hyper-responsiveness often with an atopic or eosinophilic component is common in the elderly asthmatic. Asthma chronic obstructive pulmonary disease overlap syndrome (ACOS), a combination of atopy-mediated airway hyper-responsiveness and a history of smoking or other environmental noxious exposures, can lead to some fixed airway obstruction and is also common in elderly patients. Little specific data exist for the treating the elderly asthmatic, thus requiring the clinician to extrapolate from general adult data and asthma treatment guidelines. AREAS COVERED A stepwise approach to pharmacotherapy of the elderly patient with asthma and ACOS is offered and the literature supporting the use of each class of drugs reviewed. EXPERT OPINION Inhaled, long-acting bronchodilators in combination with inhaled corticosteroids represent the backbone of treatment for the elderly patient with asthma or ACOS . Beyond these medications used as direct bronchodilators and topical anti-inflammatory agents, a stepwise approach to escalation of therapy includes multiple options such as oral leukotriene receptor antagonist or 5-lipoxygense inhibitor therapy, oral phosphodiesterase inhibitors, systemic corticosteroids, oral macrolide antibiotics and if evidence of eosinophilic/atopic component disease exists then modifying monoclonal antibody therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy E Albertson
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, School of Medicine, U. C. Davis , Sacramento, CA, USA.,Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, U. C. Davis , Sacramento, CA, USA.,Department of Medicine, Veterans Administration Northern California Health Care System , Mather, CA, USA
| | - Janelle V Pugashetti
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, School of Medicine, U. C. Davis , Sacramento, CA, USA.,Department of Medicine, Veterans Administration Northern California Health Care System , Mather, CA, USA
| | - Florence Chau-Etchepare
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, School of Medicine, U. C. Davis , Sacramento, CA, USA.,Department of Medicine, Veterans Administration Northern California Health Care System , Mather, CA, USA
| | - James A Chenoweth
- Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, U. C. Davis , Sacramento, CA, USA.,Department of Medicine, Veterans Administration Northern California Health Care System , Mather, CA, USA
| | - Susan Murin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, School of Medicine, U. C. Davis , Sacramento, CA, USA.,Department of Medicine, Veterans Administration Northern California Health Care System , Mather, CA, USA
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Arnetz BB, Arnetz J, Harkema JR, Morishita M, Slonager K, Sudan S, Jamil H. Neighborhood air pollution and household environmental health as it relates to respiratory health and healthcare utilization among elderly persons with asthma. J Asthma 2019; 57:28-39. [PMID: 30810414 DOI: 10.1080/02770903.2018.1545856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Objective: The study investigated the associations between fine particulate matter (PM2.5; <2.5 μm in diameter), indoor environment, pulmonary function, and healthcare utilization in a vulnerable group of elderly persons with asthma. We hypothesized that environmental conditions were associated with adverse pulmonary health outcomes. Methods: The study involved elderly (n = 76; mean age 64.6 years; 48 women) vulnerable persons in Detroit, Michigan, USA, with physician-diagnosed asthma. Exposure variables included measured outdoor PM2.5, self-rated outdoor and household environmental pollutants. Outcome variables were self-rated and measured pulmonary function, and asthma-related healthcare utilization. Results: Mean ambient PM2.5 concentrations during the study was 14.14 ± (S.D. 6.36) µg/m3 during the summer and 14.20 (6.33) during the winter (p = 0.95). In multiple regression analyses, adjusting for age and gender, mean 6-month concentration of PM2.5 was related to shortness of breath (SHOB; standardized β = 0.26, p = 0.02) and inversely with self-rated respiratory health (SRRH; β = 0.28, p = 0.02). However, PM2.5 did not predict lung function (FEV1% predicted and FEV1/FVC). However, PM2.5 was related to use of asthma controller drugs (β = 0.38, p = 0.001). Participants' air pollution ratings predicted total healthcare utilization (β = 0.33, p = 0.01). Conclusions: In elderly persons with asthma, living near heavy industry and busy highways, objective and perceived environmental pollution relate to participants' respiratory health and healthcare utilization. Importantly, air pollution might increase use of asthma controller drugs containing corticosteroids with implication for elderly persons' risk to develop osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bengt B Arnetz
- Department of Family Medicine, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA.,Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Judy Arnetz
- Department of Family Medicine, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA.,Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Jack R Harkema
- Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Masako Morishita
- Department of Family Medicine, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA
| | - Kathleen Slonager
- Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, Michigan Chapter, Franklin, MI, USA
| | - Sukhesh Sudan
- Department of Family Medicine, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA
| | - Hikmet Jamil
- Department of Family Medicine, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA
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Wallin M, Tagami T, Chen L, Yang M, Chan HK. Pulmonary drug delivery to older people. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2018; 135:50-61. [PMID: 29197631 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2017.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2017] [Revised: 11/20/2017] [Accepted: 11/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Pulmonary diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), are common in older people. Treatment principles are well established in this group of patients; however, inadequate training and improper inhaler techniques often results in poor treatment outcomes. Healthcare professionals often do not have the required knowledge about the most common inhaler devices. Age-related conditions like cognitive ability and physical strength would also impact on the inhaler usage. Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics may be affected by physiological changes, like impaired renal and hepatic functions and reduced lung functions. Adjusting and optimizing the inhaler device to the patient preferences, improvement of the drug formulation and inhalers, and using different adherence strategies might improve the treatment outcomes in elderly patients.
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Trinh HKT, Ban GY, Lee JH, Park HS. Leukotriene Receptor Antagonists for the Treatment of Asthma in Elderly Patients. Drugs Aging 2017; 33:699-710. [PMID: 27709465 DOI: 10.1007/s40266-016-0401-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Elderly asthma (EA) is regarded as a distinct phenotype of asthma and is associated with age-related changes in airway structure and alterations in lung function and immune responses. EA is difficult to diagnose because of aging and co-morbidities, and overlaps with fixed airway obstructive disease. Novel modalities to differentiate between EA and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are necessary. A multifaceted approach, including clinical history, smoking habits, atopy, and measurement of lung function, is mandatory to differentiate asthma from COPD. There are a variety of co-morbidities with EA, of which COPD, upper airway diseases, depression, obesity, and hypertension are the most common, and these co-morbidities can affect the control status of EA. However, leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRAs) can facilitate the management of EA, and thus addition of an LTRA to inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) monotherapy or ICS plus long-acting β2-agonist therapy improves symptoms in EA patients. LTRA treatment is safe and beneficial in patients who are unable to use inhalation devices properly or who have co-morbid diseases. Therefore, clinical studies targeting a specific population of EA patients are warranted to help achieve a better therapeutic strategy in EA patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoang Kim Tu Trinh
- Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Worldcup-ro 164, Youngtong-gu, Suwon-si, 443-380, South Korea
| | - Ga-Young Ban
- Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Worldcup-ro 164, Youngtong-gu, Suwon-si, 443-380, South Korea
| | - Ji-Ho Lee
- Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Worldcup-ro 164, Youngtong-gu, Suwon-si, 443-380, South Korea
| | - Hae-Sim Park
- Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Worldcup-ro 164, Youngtong-gu, Suwon-si, 443-380, South Korea. .,Department of Biomedical Sciences, The Graduate School, Ajou University, Suwon, South Korea.
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Radovanovic D, Santus P, Blasi F, Mantero M. The evidence on tiotropium bromide in asthma: from the rationale to the bedside. Multidiscip Respir Med 2017; 12:12. [PMID: 28484598 PMCID: PMC5420159 DOI: 10.1186/s40248-017-0094-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2017] [Accepted: 04/18/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe and poorly controlled asthma still accounts for a great portion of the patients affected. Disease control and future risk management have been identified by international guidelines as the main goals in patients with asthma. The need for new treatment approaches has led to reconsider anticholinergic drugs as an option for asthma treatment. Tiotropium is the first anticholinergic drug that has been approved for children and adults with poorly controlled asthma and is currently considered as an option for steps 4 and 5 of the Global Initiative for Asthma. In large randomized clinical trials enrolling patients with moderate to severe asthma, add-on therapy with tiotropium has demonstrated to be efficacious in improving lung function, decreasing risk of exacerbation and slowing the worsening of disease; accordingly, tiotropium demonstrated to be non inferior compared to long acting beta-agonists in the maintenance treatment along with medium to high inhaled corticosteroids. In view of the numerous ancillary effects acting on inflammation, airway remodeling, mucus production and cough reflex, along with the good safety profile and the broad spectrum of efficacy demonstrated in different disease phenotypes, tiotropium can represent a beneficial alternative in the therapeutic management of poorly controlled asthma. The present extensive narrative review presents the pharmacological and pathophysiological basis that guided the rationale for the introduction of tiotropium in asthma treatment algorithm, with a particular focus on its conventional and unconventional effects; finally, data on tiotropium efficacy and safety. from recent randomized clinical trials performed in all age categories will be extensively discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dejan Radovanovic
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (DIBIC), University of Milan, Pulmonary Unit, Ospedale L. Sacco, ASST Fatebenfratelli-Sacco, Milan, Italy
| | - Pierachille Santus
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (DIBIC), University of Milan, Pulmonary Unit, Ospedale L. Sacco, ASST Fatebenfratelli-Sacco, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Blasi
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Cardio-thoracic unit and Adult Cystic Fibrosis Center, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Mantero
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Cardio-thoracic unit and Adult Cystic Fibrosis Center, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
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