Treating asthma in the older patient: is there a place for leukotriene modifiers?

Full Abstract

Asthma is a common airway disease found in people of all ages, although most studies of asthma therapies are focused on adolescent and young adults. Little information exists on the use of asthma therapeutics in the older patient (>65 years of age). The newest therapeutic class to be released in the US for the treatment of asthma is the leukotriene modifiers. These medications (either receptor antagonists or enzyme inhibitors) have been found to be beneficial in younger patients with asthma, but their potential role in older patients is less clear. In this review, the data regarding the use of these medications in older patients are examined, as are the epidemiological and pathophysiological issues regarding asthma in this growing patient population. On the basis of the two published reports of leukotriene modifiers in the older patient, we conclude that leukotriene modifiers are useful in this population, but like other controller therapies for asthma, they are less effective in the older population.

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Author information

Author/s: Grayson, Mitchell H (MH); Korenblat, Phillip E (PE);

Affiliation: Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA. mgrayson(-atsign-)wustl.edu

Grants: AI1800 (Agency:NIAID NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Review

Journal: Drugs & aging (Drugs Aging), published in New Zealand. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2006-; vol 23 (issue 6) : pp 451-9

Dates: Created 2006/07/28; Completed 2006/12/22; Revised 2007/11/15;

PMID: 16872230, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Aged
Anti-Asthmatic Agents - therapeutic use
Asthma - drug therapy; metabolism; physiopathology
Clinical Trials as Topic

Clinical Trials as Topic
Humans
Leukotriene Antagonists - therapeutic use
Leukotrienes - metabolism

Associated Chemicals: Anti-Asthmatic Agents (0) ; Leukotriene Antagonists (0) ; Leukotrienes (0)

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