SEVERE ASTHMA

Abstract

Asthma is a common inflammatory disease that has wideclinical characteristics of the airway of the lungs. Asthmasymptoms can be prevented by avoiding triggers likeallergens and by the effective inhaled treatment. Themajority of asthma patients can be treated effectivelyby current medications. Difficult asthma is a distinctentity of asthma, comprising approximately %5-10 ofasthmatic patients. Despite the high effective treatment,the patients with asthma have disease that is poorlycontrolled. Severe asthmatics account for up to half ofthe cost for asthma. It will include asthma uncontrolledby new standard therapy, steroid dependent, steroidresistant asthma patients. Asthma related deathsare seen especially in severe asthma group. Asthmais a heterogeneous disease, consisting of differentphenotypes. It requires multidisciplinary approach fortreatment management. Severe asthma may suddenlydevelop in early time in disease or overtime. There was anevidence that severe asthma related to genetic factors,environmental factors, age, inflammation, duration ofdisease The genetic and environmental factors mayplay a role in severe asthma management. Phenotypetargetedtherapy has an important role in severe asthma,but it is associated with high treatment costs. At firstdiagnosis of asthma must be confirmed COPD and vocalcord dysfunction is needed to be particular interest indifferential diagnosis. Triggering factors such as smoking,atopy, work place condition and aspirin hypersensitivityshould be evaluated. Comorbidities that may affectasthma should be considered. This review examinesthe definition of asthma, its differential diagnosis,phenotypes and available treatment options.