Asthma in the elderly patient.

Epidemiologic surveys have shown increased morbidity and mortality for asthma, especially in the elderly population. Although the majority of patients with asthma have their onset of disease as children or young adults, new-onset asthma may occur at any age, even in the eighth and ninth decades. When asthma begins at an advanced age, symptoms are typical of young adults, but medication requirements to maintain normalcy are often high.