Asthma in the elderly: special challenge.

It is important both prognostically and therapeutically to recognize the "asthmatic component" in COPD. When this component is significant, the outlook is better and impressive improvement can be attained. Wheezing in the elderly must be differentiated from a number of conditions other than asthma. Excluding other causes is especially important in this age group, particularly when wheezing is of acute or recent onset.