노인 기관지천식

Abstract

Elderly asthma should be taken much care of because it tends to be underdiagnosed and undertreated despite its high morbidity and mortality. The principle of diagnosis and treatment in elderly asthma is basically the same as the general principle in adult asthma. Although spirometry and inhaler device, the necessary tools of diagnosis and treatment in asthma, are difficult to be performed or used by the elderly asthmatics, spirometry and inhaler device should be done adequately with encouragement and education. Other diseases with symptoms similar to elderly asthma are COPD, tuberculous destroyed lung, heart disease, lung cancer, etc. and should be differentiated from asthma. The key drug for the treatment in elderly asthmatics is inhaled glucocorticoid, which is exactly the same in general adult asthmatics. Vaccinations of influenza and pneumococcus are recommended to the elderly asthmatics. (Korean J Med 75:153-155, 2008)