Inhaled corticosteroids and leukotriene modifiers in the acute treatment of asthma exacerbations

Asthma exacerbation has a considerable impact on patients' quality of life and constitutes a challenging condition for primary health-care providers. Severe exacerbations are also an important cause of hospital admissions and require high costs. Despite this, a widely accepted definition is still lacking; etiologic and pathogenetic mechanisms are still incompletely defined. Although the efficacy of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and leukotriene modifiers in preventing mild to moderate asthma exacerbation is well recognized, their role within the context of an asthma action plan in general practice and in home-based early intervention for acute exacerbations is still controversial. Although systemic corticosteroids (CS) are standard care for severe exacerbation in the emergency department's (ED) management of asthma, published evidence suggests that high doses of ICS may be beneficial in the ED. The additive benefit of ICS when used with systemic CS is still debated. Data on leukotriene modifiers in the management of asthma exacerbation are limited: However, therapeutic strategies of this emergency including ICS and leukotriene modifiers seem logical and may be suitable, at least in certain patient groups. The availability of different drugs, active on different targets, can potentially contribute to a better management of asthma exacerbations. (C) 2003 Lippincott Williams Wilkins, Inc.