1 - Serviço de Imunoalergologia, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa Central
- Eur Ann Allergy Clin Immunol
Although allergic diseases have become increasingly prevalent in the elderly, there are few data on this population. Through a retrospective analysis of the electronic medical records of patients aged 65 years and above followed in our Immunoaller- gology Unit, we aimed to characterize the immunoallergic diseases of the elderly. The most common disorders were respiratory diseases (n = 185; 50%), mucocutane- ous diseases (n = 113; 31%), drug allergy (n = 31; 8%), food allergy (n = 9; 2%), and anaphylaxis (n = 9; 2%). Use of specific immunotherapy was residual (n = 2; 1%). There was an association between anaphylaxis and both, drug (p = 0.004) and food (p = 0.013) allergies. Non-allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma were more frequent in females, and Angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitors/ Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB) induced-angioedema in males. Recognizing the characteristics of immunoallergic diseases in the elderly and the specificities of this age group is paramount in providing these patients with the best possible care.
Palavras Chave: Elderly; old-aged; allergy; immunoallergic; prevalence