Therapeutic management of primary immunodeficiency in older patients

Drugs Aging. 2013 Jul;30(7):503-12. doi: 10.1007/s40266-013-0079-7.

Abstract

Primary immunodeficiency disease (PID) has traditionally been viewed as a group of illnesses seen in the paediatric age group. New advances in diagnosis and treatment have led to an increase in the number of elderly PID patients. However, there is lack of research evidence on which to base clinical management in this group of patients. Management decisions often have to be based therefore on extrapolations from other patient cohorts or from younger patients. Data from the European Society for Immunodeficiencies demonstrates that the vast majority of elderly patients suffer from predominantly antibody deficiency syndromes. We review the management of PID disease in the elderly, with a focus on antibody deficiency disease.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Agammaglobulinemia / drug therapy*
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Bone Marrow Transplantation
  • Common Variable Immunodeficiency / complications
  • Common Variable Immunodeficiency / drug therapy*
  • Common Variable Immunodeficiency / therapy
  • Genetic Diseases, X-Linked / drug therapy*
  • Genetic Therapy
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous

Supplementary concepts

  • Bruton type agammaglobulinemia