Respiratory allergies, such as asthma and allergic rhinitis, can arise in the elderly as well. So far, allergen immunotherapy for allergic disorders is the sole disease-modifying treatment for allergy sufferers. In this article, researchers evaluate the existing data supporting the use of allergen immunotherapy in the elderly and explore its efficacy and value in the treatment of respiratory allergic disorders in this population. Subcutaneous and/or sublingual immunotherapy are successful treatment choices for both young and old individuals. Allergen immunotherapy decreases medication and symptom scores in the elderly, allowing it to be given safely in this group.
Allergen immunotherapy for respiratory allergic disorders may help elderly people who have established clinically significant immunoglobulin E sensitivity to inhalant allergens. Therefore, older individuals without contraindications should be evaluated for therapy, with the added benefit of lower medication and symptom scores.
