title: Positioning of glucocorticosteroids in asthma and allergic rhinitis guidelines (versus other therapies).
abstract: Asthma and allergic rhinitis are both characterized by airway inflammation, and glucocorticosteroids form the cornerstone of their pharmacologic treatment. All patients with asthma should be prescribed rapid-acting inhaled beta2-agonists as needed to use as rescue therapy in case of symptoms. As soon as patients experience symptoms at least once a week, controller medications should be started on a daily basis to achieve and maintain control of their asthma. Intranasal corticosteroids are given as first-line therapy for moderate to severe persistent rhinitis. Depending on the dominant symptom, H1-antihistamines, decongestants, or ipratropium can be added after re-evaluation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Diseases, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium. guy.joos@ugent.be
authors.forename: Guy F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Joos
authors.forename: Guy G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Brusselle
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Van Hoecke
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Van Cauwenberge
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bousquet
authors.forename: Romain A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Pauwels
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids