Asthma in Klinik und Praxis

Asthma is a clinical diagnosis, whereby current guidelines newly recommend measurement of the type 2 biomarkers eosinophils in blood and fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), in addition to evaluation of lung function parameters. A precise phenotyping of the asthma illness, based on the medical history (including allergies), biomarkers and comorbidities, is a prerequisite for a personalized treatment. Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are the preferred treatment option in every treatment stage, with increasing asthma severity complemented by long-acting bronchodilators and in severe asthma by monoclonal antibodies directed against key mediators of the asthmatic inflammation (biologicals). The tremendous progress in treatment has led to very good asthma control in the vast majority of patients. As a consequence, treatment of asthma patients is now the domain of outpatient specialist care.