Rhinitis in the Geriatric Population: Epidemiological and Cytological Aspects
Allergic rhinitis (AR), traditionally considered as a childhood condition, is increasingly recognized among older adults, driven by rising life expectancy and environmental factors. Although allergic sensitization declines with age, AR prevalence in the elderly is underestimated, with 3–12% of geria...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Geriatrics |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2308-3417/10/2/50 |
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| author | Matteo Gelardi Rossana Giancaspro Elisa Boni Mario Di Gioacchino Giulia Cintoli Michele Cassano Maria Teresa Ventura |
| author_facet | Matteo Gelardi Rossana Giancaspro Elisa Boni Mario Di Gioacchino Giulia Cintoli Michele Cassano Maria Teresa Ventura |
| author_sort | Matteo Gelardi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Allergic rhinitis (AR), traditionally considered as a childhood condition, is increasingly recognized among older adults, driven by rising life expectancy and environmental factors. Although allergic sensitization declines with age, AR prevalence in the elderly is underestimated, with 3–12% of geriatric patients affected. Diagnosis is challenging due to nonspecific symptoms and overlapping conditions, leading to underdiagnosis and inadequate treatment. AR significantly impacts the quality of life (QoL), often exacerbating respiratory comorbidities like asthma and COPD. Presbynasalis, encompassing age-related sinonasal changes, includes reduced allergic responses, increased chronic rhinosinusitis, altered nasal structure, and impaired mucociliary clearance. Non-allergic rhinitis, atrophic rhinitis, and overlapping rhinitis further complicate AR diagnosis in the elderly. Effective management involves personalized pharmacotherapy, allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT), and addressing comorbidities and polypharmacy risks. Despite safety concerns, recent studies demonstrate AIT efficacy in elderly patients, reducing symptoms and medication use. Given AR’s impact on cognitive and respiratory health, accurate diagnosis and treatment can enhance QoL and mitigate health decline. Greater awareness and further research are essential to understand AR prevalence and improve outcomes for geriatric patients. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d479db8629ce47d2a4fc7efd0213d479 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2308-3417 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Geriatrics |
| spelling | doaj-art-d479db8629ce47d2a4fc7efd0213d4792025-08-20T03:13:54ZengMDPI AGGeriatrics2308-34172025-03-011025010.3390/geriatrics10020050Rhinitis in the Geriatric Population: Epidemiological and Cytological AspectsMatteo Gelardi0Rossana Giancaspro1Elisa Boni2Mario Di Gioacchino3Giulia Cintoli4Michele Cassano5Maria Teresa Ventura6Unit of Otolaryngology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, 71121 Foggia, ItalyUnit of Otolaryngology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, 71121 Foggia, ItalyAllergy and Immunology Department, Metropolitan Laboratory of Bologna, 40133 Bologna, ItalyInstitute of Clinical Immunotherapy and Advanced Biological Treatments, 66100 Pescara, ItalyUnit of Otolaryngology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, 71121 Foggia, ItalyUnit of Otolaryngology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, 71121 Foggia, ItalyDepartment of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari, 70121 Bari, ItalyAllergic rhinitis (AR), traditionally considered as a childhood condition, is increasingly recognized among older adults, driven by rising life expectancy and environmental factors. Although allergic sensitization declines with age, AR prevalence in the elderly is underestimated, with 3–12% of geriatric patients affected. Diagnosis is challenging due to nonspecific symptoms and overlapping conditions, leading to underdiagnosis and inadequate treatment. AR significantly impacts the quality of life (QoL), often exacerbating respiratory comorbidities like asthma and COPD. Presbynasalis, encompassing age-related sinonasal changes, includes reduced allergic responses, increased chronic rhinosinusitis, altered nasal structure, and impaired mucociliary clearance. Non-allergic rhinitis, atrophic rhinitis, and overlapping rhinitis further complicate AR diagnosis in the elderly. Effective management involves personalized pharmacotherapy, allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT), and addressing comorbidities and polypharmacy risks. Despite safety concerns, recent studies demonstrate AIT efficacy in elderly patients, reducing symptoms and medication use. Given AR’s impact on cognitive and respiratory health, accurate diagnosis and treatment can enhance QoL and mitigate health decline. Greater awareness and further research are essential to understand AR prevalence and improve outcomes for geriatric patients.https://www.mdpi.com/2308-3417/10/2/50allergic rhinitisnasal cytologygeriatric age |
| spellingShingle | Matteo Gelardi Rossana Giancaspro Elisa Boni Mario Di Gioacchino Giulia Cintoli Michele Cassano Maria Teresa Ventura Rhinitis in the Geriatric Population: Epidemiological and Cytological Aspects Geriatrics allergic rhinitis nasal cytology geriatric age |
| title | Rhinitis in the Geriatric Population: Epidemiological and Cytological Aspects |
| title_full | Rhinitis in the Geriatric Population: Epidemiological and Cytological Aspects |
| title_fullStr | Rhinitis in the Geriatric Population: Epidemiological and Cytological Aspects |
| title_full_unstemmed | Rhinitis in the Geriatric Population: Epidemiological and Cytological Aspects |
| title_short | Rhinitis in the Geriatric Population: Epidemiological and Cytological Aspects |
| title_sort | rhinitis in the geriatric population epidemiological and cytological aspects |
| topic | allergic rhinitis nasal cytology geriatric age |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2308-3417/10/2/50 |
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