Allergic diseases: Differences related to sex and gender and age

Abstract

With nearly one billion cases worldwide, allergic diseases such as rhinoconjunctivitis, asthma, atopic dermatitis, contact eczema, food allergies, drug reactions, and anaphylaxis have become a clinical emergency. Differences in biological sex, gender identity, relationships and roles can have significant implications for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of these conditions. In industrialized countries, the proportion of elderly people is expanding, and, in many countries, the 65 years or older demographic is the fastest growing subpopulation. This chapter describes the available knowledge about the role of aging, sex, and gender in allergies. The aim is to improve clinical approaches to these diseases because the personalization of medicine is an indispensable tool whose potential is still underestimated in allergic diseases. Recognizing the hormonal associations and peculiarities of allergic diseases in geriatric age requires a multidisciplinary approach, to treat them effectively following appropriate diagnostic procedures, considering the close interconnection between hormonal factors and patient age.