[Bronchial asthma--what is of importance for the ENT-specialist?].
In Germany the prevalence of bronchial asthma in adults is 5 % and up to 10 % in children. This explains its enormous medical and economic importance. Bronchial asthma is not only the most-frequent allergic lung disease; it is the most prevalent chronic illness of the childhood. Alongside with other atopic diseases--allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis--in the last decades the incidence increased significantly. Allergic and non allergic rhinitis and sinusitis are strongly correlated with asthma. This explains why ENT-specialists are often consulted first by patients with chronic inflammations of both the upper and lower airways. Hence, the ENT-specialist should clearly understand the pathophysiologic mechanisms of the disease, become familiar with the typical clinical findings and get a broader knowledge of the standard diagnostic methods and therapeutic issues. This article gives a detailed overview on these topics and the current guidelines.
Pfaar
O
O
Zentrum für Rhinologie und Allergologie, Wiesbaden. oliver.pfaar@hno-wiesbaden.de
Kardos
P
P
Spielhaupter
M
M
Hörmann
K
K
Klimek
L
L
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000328:Adult; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012130:Respiratory Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D013147:Spirometry
D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents