Asthma in adolescence: Is there any news?
Asthma is a chronic disease that has a significant impact quality of life, which is particularly important in adolescence. We will discuss aspects of epidemiology, the clinical spectrum, diagnostics, and management of asthma in adolescence. In particular, we will highlight the psychological implications of having asthma during this developmental period. Data published in the past 10 years, since we last reviewed the subject, will be the main focus of this paper. The care of the teenager with asthma should take into account the rapid physical, emotional, cognitive, and social changes that occur during normal adolescence. The diagnostic process may be more difficult since teenagers tend to deny their illness. Thus, both under-diagnosis and under-assessment of asthma severity may lead to under-treatment and potentially avoidable morbidity and even mortality. Conversely, teenagers may be often misdiagnosed as having asthma or their asthma severity may be overestimated leading to inappropriate and sometimes excessive treatment. Educational programs, environmental avoidance measures, proper use of medications along with a skilled approach, and a caring attitude of health providers are all very important for successful management. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2017;52:129-138. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Department of Mother and Child Health, Azienda Ospedaliera, Perugia, Italy.
Diletta
D
de Benedictis
Department of Pediatrics, Imperial College, London, UK.|Department of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, London, UK.|Department of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine, Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
Andrew
A
Bush
D000293:Adolescent; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004194:Disease; D006801:Humans; D055118:Medication Adherence; D011788:Quality of Life
D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents
adolescence; asthma; education; medication adherence