Management of asthma in adults: current therapy and future directions.
Asthma is increasing in prevalence worldwide and results in significant use of healthcare resources. Although most patients with asthma can be adequately treated with inhaled corticosteroids, an important number of patients require additional therapy and an increasing number of options are available. A further minority of patients develop severe persistent asthma which remains difficult to manage despite current pharmacological therapies. This review discusses the various treatment options currently available for each stage of asthma severity, highlights some of the limitations of current management, and outlines directions which may improve the management of asthma in the future.
Green
R H
RH
Institute for Lung Health, Department of Respiratory Medicine and Thoracic Surgery, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, UK. ruth.green@uhl-tr.nhs.uk
Brightling
C E
CE
Pavord
I D
ID
Wardlaw
A J
AJ
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage; D058672:Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Antagonists; D000485:Allergens; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000628:therapy*; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods; D007378:Interleukins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012138:Respiratory Therapy; D012648:Self Care; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D013806:Theophylline / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D058672:Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Antagonists; D000485:Allergens; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D007378:Interleukins; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists; D013806:Theophylline