Survey of the extent and nature of care for adults and older adults by allergy/immunology practitioners

Background: The proportion of older adults in the US population will increa se dramatically in the near future, yet the frequency and nature of care fu rnished to older adults by Allergy/Immunology practitioners has not been de scribed. Objective: To determine the extent and nature of care being provided to adu lts and older adults by Allergy/Immunology practitioners. Methods: ACAAI members and fellows were surveyed to obtain information rega rding certification and training as well as their practice patterns. Results: The distribution of diagnoses among patients aged 40 to 54 years w ere very similar to distributions found among adults age 55 to 69 years and greater than or equal to 70 years of age. Virtually all respondents indica ted they provide inhalant allergen immunotherapy for patients age 40 to 54 years with asthma and/or allergic rhinitis; administration of inhalant alle rgen immunotherapy for asthma and allergic rhinitis was also frequently rep orted for adults greater than or equal to 55 years. The proportions of resp ondents providing venom immunotherapy for adults aged 40 to 54, 55 to 69, a nd greater than or equal to 70 years were 82%, 70%, and 39%, respectively. Conclusion: ACAAI members and fellows commonly provide care to older adults . Our survey findings highlight the need to develop strategies for successf ul management of Allergy/Immunology conditions specifically pertaining to o lder adults, including studies to determine the therapeutic utility of inha lant allergen and venom immunotherapy in this age group.