Via practica 2/2008

MODERN MANAGEMENT OF BRONCHIAL ASTHMA

Bronchial asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways. The cost of asthma treatment is rising annually and in Slovakia this represents up to 2,2 billion SKK (68 Mil EUR) per year. It is important to spend this money effectively. Global asthma guidelines help to provide up-to-date information on asthma pathology and treatment into the primary care. Optimal control of asthma is the goal defined in guidelines. To achieve this goal a stepwise approach is proposed. Corticosteroids represent the main therapeutic modality in asthma treatment and their safety has been much more improved during the past decades. Other agents, such as LABA, antileukotrienes, methylxantines or anti-IgE can be combined with corticosteroids. In our country, all of these therapeutic modalities are available, so there are ideal settings for putting guidelines into the clinical practice.

Keywords: asthma control, GINA, management, corticosteroide.