title: Initiation, dose reduction, and duration of inhaled corticosteroid therapy.
abstract: Asthma is characterized by persistent airway inflammation, which is associated with airway hyperresponsiveness and variable airflow obstruction, which accounts for the majority of symptoms experienced by asthmatic patients. Allergen sensitization and inhalation causes airway inflammation, and is likely important in the initiation and persistence of asthma in more than 50% of patients, and while allergen avoidance (or avoidance of other initiating factors, such as occupational sensitizers) can help some patients, it is often difficult to achieve. For this reason, pharmacologic treatment to reduce airway inflammation is currently the cornerstone of therapy for most individuals who have asthma.
authors.affiliation: Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health, St. Joseph's Hospital and McMaster University, 1200 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L9G 4R7, Canada. obyrnep@mcmaster.ca
authors.forename: Paul M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: O'Byrne
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006801:Humans; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents