Work

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

Year: 2026

Type: review

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. 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.

Source: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports

DOI: 10.1007/s11882-026-01304-2

Authors: Zi-Qi Chen, Zi-Wen Sun, Hua-Ke Sun, De-Yun Wang, Wei Ma

Institutions: Guangdong Medical College, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, National University of Singapore

Language: English

Topic: Asthma and respiratory diseases

Subfield: Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,590