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Peer-reviewedCC BY-NC-ND 4.0Current Allergy and Asthma Reports

Asthma in Older Adults: A Systematic Review of Real-World Burden and Outcomes

  • Zi-Qi Chen1
  • Zi-Wen Sun2
  • Hua-Ke Sun3
  • De-Yun Wang4
  • Wei Ma5
5 affiliations
  1. 1Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, 524023 China
  2. 2Department of Respiratory Medicine, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510000 China
  3. 3Department of Geriatric Medicine, Guangzhou First People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
  4. 4Department of Otolaryngology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119228 Singapore
  5. 5Department of Respiratory Medicine Guangzhou First People’s Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, 524023 China
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Abstract

Purpose of Review: This review examines asthma in older adults over the past decade, focusing on epidemiology, diagnostic challenges, and current management. It also explores why asthma remains underdiagnosed and undertreated in this population.

Recent Findings: Asthma prevalence is increasing among older adults worldwide, particularly in developed regions and Asia, yet underdiagnosis and undertreatment remain common. Diagnostic complexity is driven by atypical presentations, comorbidities, overlapping COPD features, and limitations of standard diagnostic criteria. Patient-related barriers include low health literacy, poor inhaler technique, symptom misattribution, psychological comorbidity, and limited social support. Access to biologic therapies remains uneven, and precision medicine approaches for older adults are lacking.

Summary: Asthma in older adults is an important and underrecognized public health issue. Better awareness, age-adapted diagnostic protocols, improved inhaler education, and more integrated management of comorbidities are needed to improve outcomes and quality of life.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{chen2026asthma,
  title = {{Asthma in Older Adults: A Systematic Review of Real-World Burden and Outcomes}},
  author = {Zi-Qi Chen and Zi-Wen Sun and Hua-Ke Sun and De-Yun Wang and Wei Ma},
  journal = {Current Allergy and Asthma Reports},
  year = {2026},
  month = nov,
  doi = {10.1007/s11882-026-01304-2},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s11882-026-01304-2},
  note = {CC BY-NC-ND 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Asthma in Older Adults: A Systematic Review of Real-World Burden and Outcomes
AU  - Zi-Qi Chen
AU  - Zi-Wen Sun
AU  - Hua-Ke Sun
AU  - De-Yun Wang
AU  - Wei Ma
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/11/04
JO  - Current Allergy and Asthma Reports
DO  - 10.1007/s11882-026-01304-2
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1007/s11882-026-01304-2
AB  - Purpose of Review: This review examines asthma in older adults over the past decade, focusing on epidemiology, diagnostic challenges, and current management. It also explores why asthma remains underdiagnosed and undertreated in this population.  Recent Findings: Asthma prevalence is increasing among older adults worldwide, particularly in developed regions and Asia, yet underdiagnosis and undertreatment remain common. Diagnostic complexity is driven by atypical presentations, comorbidities, overlapping COPD features, and limitations of standard diagnostic criteria. Patient-related barriers include low health literacy, poor inhaler technique, symptom misattribution, psychological comorbidity, and limited social support. Access to biologic therapies remains uneven, and precision medicine approaches for older adults are lacking.  Summary: Asthma in older adults is an important and underrecognized public health issue. Better awareness, age-adapted diagnostic protocols, improved inhaler education, and more integrated management of comorbidities are needed to improve outcomes and quality of life.
SN  - 1529-7322
SN  - 1534-6315
ER  -