Outpatient asthma management

Asthma, a common condition affecting 5% to 10% of the population, is a syndrome with many causes and is characterized by symptoms due to variable airflow obstruction, airway hyperresponsiveness, and airway inflammation.(39) Currently, it is believed that the airway inflammation is the primary-event and that airway hyperresponsiveness and variable airflow obstruction are secondary or symptomatic features of the disease. Consequently the authors' approach to the management of asthma in all circumstances and in all degrees of severity focuses on prevention or treatment of airway inflammation; the goal is to minimize both symptoms and the need for symptomatic therapies. In this article, emphasis is placed on patient education and patient involvement in therapy.