title: Effects of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Asthma is recognised as a condition with variable airway obstruction with pathophysiological features that include activation of a wide range of inflammatory and structural cells. Additionally, structural changes in the airways have been demonstrated. This includes increased thickening of components in the basement membrane region, increased smooth muscle mass, increased vascularisation and many other events that is often referred to as remodelling of the airways. These processes and the underlying mechanisms have attracted considerable attention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This review describes the different interventive approaches that have been tried in order to improve asthma control and affect the underlying pathophysiological pathways. These include elimination of harmful environmental and occupational exposures, a wide range of pharmacological agents as well as bronchial thermoplasty. The existing evidence for effects on airway inflammation and airway remodelling is discussed in relationship to mechanistic aspects and short- and long-term outcome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is expected that modulation of the asthmatic airway remodelling will become an even more important endpoint in the near future.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Division of Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden. thomas.sandstrom@lung.umu.se
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sandström
mesh_terms: D056151:Airway Remodeling; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents