title: Asthma overview.
abstract: This article presents our current understanding of the biological heterogeneity of asthma and reviews some of the key features of the latest proposed recommendations of the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program Guidelines. The diagnosis of asthma is based on such clinical features as variable airflow obstruction that is partially if not fully reversible and airway hyperresponsiveness that predisposes to episodic bronchospasm following exposure to a variety of triggers. The underlying inflammation and airway biology of asthma is heterogeneous and is part of the explanation for the variable response to therapy. New biologics that help to characterize patients according to their underlying biology will aid in making better choices for treatment. New asthma guidelines emphasize the importance of regular monitoring.
authors.affiliation: National Jewish Medical and Research Center, The University of Colorado School of Medicine, 1400 Jackson Street, Room J215, Denver, CO 80206, USA. balkissoonr@njc.org
authors.forename: Ronald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Balkissoon
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D006801:Humans; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic
chemical_list: D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents