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Clinical and Molecular Allergy
Published in: Clinical and Molecular Allergy 1/2017

Open Access 01-12-2017 | Review

How to fit allergen immunotherapy in the elderly

Authors: Erminia Ridolo, Anti Rogkakou, Maria Teresa Ventura, Irene Martignago, Cristoforo Incorvaia, Gabriele Di Lorenzo, Giovanni Passalacqua

Published in: Clinical and Molecular Allergy | Issue 1/2017

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Abstract

Asthma, allergic rhinitis (AR) and atopic dermatitis are very common in young people, but in the latest decades it was increasingly recognized that also individuals of higher ages, including the population over 65 years, are concerned. Actually, it is now acknowledged the aging does not considerably alter the immune response to allergens. Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) is the only treatment that works on the causes of allergy, but elderly people are commonly excluded from AIT, except the cases of insect sting allergy. A number of recent studies showed that aged individuals also successfully respond to AIT for respiratory allergy. Therefore, there is no reason to exclude elder patients from AIT. Anyhow, clinical conditions that are considered absolute or relative contraindications are quite frequent in this aged population, thus the risk/benefit ratio must be carefully evaluated for each patient, taking into account that the more frequent occurrence of co-morbidities and the consequent need of daily-based multidrug regimen can favor adverse effects. An important issue concern the ability of AIT, and particularly of sublingual immunotherapy, to significantly improve the quality of life, that often is particularly impaired in the elderly, reducing symptoms and drugs consumption.
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Metadata
Title
How to fit allergen immunotherapy in the elderly
Authors
Erminia Ridolo
Anti Rogkakou
Maria Teresa Ventura
Irene Martignago
Cristoforo Incorvaia
Gabriele Di Lorenzo
Giovanni Passalacqua
Publication date
01-12-2017
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Clinical and Molecular Allergy / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 1476-7961
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12948-017-0075-2

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