Korean J Med.  2014 Aug;87(2):156-162. 10.3904/kjm.2014.87.2.156.

New Guidelines for Asthma Management

• Kwon SS

• KMID: 1710024
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3904/kjm.2014.87.2.156

Abstract

Asthma is a chronic airway inflammatory disease that is characterized by symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness, and nighttime or early morning coughing, together with variable expiratory airflow limitation. Asthma is a heterogeneous disease involving various underlying processes that have been described based on causal or exacerbating factors, the pattern of airflow obstruction, severity of disease, pattern of cellular inflammation, and structural changes among patients with asthma. However, there is considerable overlap among these clinical variants, which are not correlated strongly with specific pathological processes or treatment responses. The Global Strategy for Asthma Management and Prevention 2014 (GINNA 2014) emphasizes the importance of confirming the diagnosis to minimize both under- and over-treatment with respect to the heterogeneity of asthma. To assess asthma control, it is necessary to assess not only the symptom control but also the future risks of an adverse outcome. Lung function is the most used indicator of future risk. This article reviews the treatment of adult asthma, including patients already receiving treatment according to GINA 2014 and the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service.

Keyword

Asthma; Heterogeneity; Pulmonary function test

MeSH Terms

Adult
Asthma*
Cough
Diagnosis
Dyspnea
Humans
Inflammation
Insurance, Health
Lung
Pathologic Processes
Population Characteristics
Pulmonary Ventilation
Respiratory Function Tests
Respiratory Sounds
Thorax