[Community-acquired Pneumonia in the Elderly].

Pneumonia belongs to the most frequent and most deadly infectious diseases worldwide. It represents an increasing problem for the aging population. The incidence and mortality rises with every decade. The clinical presentation of pneumonia differs between elderly and younger patients. Multiple factors including functional status (self-dependency and immobilization), comorbidities, immunosenescence, nutritional status, swallowing disorders have to be accounted for. Pneumonia in the elderly has to be differentiated from nursing home acquired pneumonia. Diagnosis of pneumonia of the elderly demands special attention as the diagnostic value of common biomarkers and prognostic scores is different. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.