COVID-19 and the elderly: insights into pathogenesis and clinical decision-making

• Published in: Aging clinical and experimental research Vol. 32; no. 8; pp. 1599 - 1608
• Main Authors: Perrotta, Fabio, Corbi, Graziamaria, Mazzeo, Grazia, Boccia, Matilde, Aronne, Luigi, D’Agnano, Vito, Komici, Klara, Mazzarella, Gennaro, Parrella, Roberto, Bianco, Andrea
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01.08.2020; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aging; Betacoronavirus; Clinical Decision-Making; Clinical deterioration; Coronavirus Infections; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; Cytokines - immunology; Geriatrics/Gerontology; Humans; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Older people; Pandemics; Pathogenesis; Pneumonia, Viral; Respiratory failure; Review; SARS-CoV-2; Nursing homes; COVID-19 Elderly patients; Coronavirus; Palliation; Sars-Cov-2

The elderly may represent a specific cluster of high-risk patients for developing COVID-19 with rapidly progressive clinical deterioration. Indeed, in older individuals, immunosenescence and comorbid disorders are more likely to promote viral-induced cytokine storm resulting in life-threatening resp...