[Recommendations for systematization of national guidelines for treatment of bronchial asthma in adulthood in Germany].
BACKGROUND
Medical guidelines provide boundaries that are established for the medical community, within which clinical practice is considered to be acceptable. The main purpose for such guidelines is to improve the quality of care for patients. This can only be accomplished, however, if these documents are accepted and used effectively. In turn, acceptance of therapy guidelines essentially depends on both the structure and the presentation of the contents. GUIDELINES FOR THE TREATMENT OF ASTHMA were first issued in 1994 by the Deutsche Atemwegsliga. Since then, almost 4 years have passed, and our knowledge of the pathogenesis of asthma and drug efficacy has improved significantly. In addition, new classes of antiasthmatic drugs will be soon available. These developments make it necessary to adapt the guidelines to current knowledge.
The paper proposes several aspects on improving the present guidelines and aims at fueling future discussions.
Kroegel
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Medizinische Klinik IV-Pneumologie, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena. KROEGEL@POLKIM.MED.UNI-JENA.DE
D000328:Adult; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000145:classification / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents