ASTHMA - A 6-PART STRATEGY FOR MANAGING OLDER PATIENTS

Asthma is a common, serious disease among older adults but-one that is often misdiagnosed and mistreated. Recently-published management stra tegies by consensus groups are effective and with some modifications, applicable to the treatment of older adults. Conditions to consider in the differential diagnosis are COPD, bronchiectasis, and congestive h eart failure, all of which may be indistinguishable from asthma by his tory. Thus, all patients with suspected asthma require pulmonary funct ion tests. Treatment is a six-part strategy consisting of education, o bjective measurement of lung function, environmental control, medicati on for chronic and acute asthma, and regular follow-up. Special consid erations in older patients include measures to enhance compliance and attention to drug interactions and coexistent diseases.