New aspects of asthma therapy

: Until recently, optimal bronchodilatation and in particular the inhalation of beta-agonists was considered the mainstay of asthma therapy. Steroids were added only in case of an unsatisfactory treatment effect. Recent epidemiological surveys, revealing an association between asthma mortality and the use of beta-agonists, and well controlled treatment studies suggest a change of concepts. Considering the long-term course of asthma, early suppression of asthmatic airway inflammation appears to be at least as important as an effective bronchodilatation. A prerequisite for a success of an individually taylored pharmacologic treatment is a comprehensive management of the disease, inclusive a continuous patient education.