Highlights from the annual scientific assembly: patient-centered approaches to asthma management: strategies for treatment and management of asthma.
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease in which the genetic predisposition to allergic disease is the strongest identifiable predisposing factor. (1) Optimal outpatient treatment of asthma includes identifying and minimizing exposure to asthma triggers, whether they Me allergens or irritants. When these triggers are not obvious, referral to an allergist may be appropriate to ideniify potential exacerbating factors. In addition, pulmonary consultation may be helpful in patients who do not have the typical features of asthma on chest radiograph or pulmonary function testing, or who are not responding well to standard therapy. The primary care physician is the most important component in the care of the asthmatic patient, however, managing acute exacerbations, determining long-term medical therapy, and providing preventive measures, such as yearly influenza vaccinations.
Peebles
R Stokes
RS
Center for Lung Research, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tenn, USA.
Hartert
Tina V
TV
D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007252:Influenza Vaccines; D018802:Patient-Centered Care; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014611:Vaccination
D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D007252:Influenza Vaccines