چکیده (انگلیسی):

Adult bronchial asthma (hereinafter, asthma) is characterized by chronic airway inflammation, reversible airway
narrowing, and airway hyperresponsiveness. Long-standing asthma induces airway remodeling to cause intractable
asthma. The number of patients with asthma has increased, and that of patients who die from asthma
has decreased (1.5 per 100,000 patients in 2012). The aim of asthma treatment is to enable patients with
asthma to lead a normal life without any symptoms. A good relationship between physicians and patients is indispensable
for appropriate treatment. Long-term management with antiasthmatic agents and elimination of the
causes and risk factors of asthma are fundamental to its treatment. Four steps in pharmacotherapy differentiate
between mild and intensive treatments; each step includes an appropriate daily dose of an inhaled corticosteroid,
varying from low to high. Long-acting β2-agonists, leukotriene receptor antagonists, and sustained-release
theophylline are recommended as concomitant drugs, while anti-immunoglobulin E antibody therapy has been
recently developed for the most severe and persistent asthma involving allergic reactions. Inhaled β2-agonists,
aminophylline, corticosteroids, adrenaline, oxygen therapy, and others are used as needed in acute exacerbations
by choosing treatment steps for asthma exacerbations depending on the severity of attacks. Allergic rhinitis,
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, aspirin-induced asthma, pregnancy, asthma in athletes, and coughvariant
asthma are also important issues that need to be considered.