Asthma in older people

From the clinical perspective, asthma in the older patient may be difficult to diagnose because of the non-specificity of presentation and the wide ra nge of differential diagnoses. Prior to confirmation of asthma in the older patient, both respiratory and cardiac investigation may be necessary. Poly pharmacy is inherent in treating older people and accurate drug histories a re essential in order to identify patients with drug-induced bronchospasm a nd avoid interactions with asthma medication. Patient and carer education i s vital, and a structured approach to follow-up which includes measurement of lung function and assessment of inhaler technique should be carried out in every asthmatic regardless of age. Finally, there is a great need for he alth services and those in the commercial sector that are involved in asthm a care to ensure that future research and development rises to the challeng e of an ageing population.