Well-controlled asthma – principle of doctor and patient cooperation Review article

Abstract

The main goals of asthma therapy include achieving good disease control, and reduction of the risks due to exacerbations and impaired lung function. At the same time the risk of side effects associated with the treatment should be minimized. In case of lack of optimal control despite appropriate treatment, before considering an increase in the dose or change in the medication, the first step is to check the correctness of the inhalation techniques, to evaluate patients’ compliance, possible exposure to factors exacerbating the disease (tobacco smoke, allergens, drugs), co-morbidities that could deteriorate the course of asthma and correctness of the diagnosis. In the everyday clinical practice, the most common cause of lack of effectiveness of the treatment in patients with bronchial asthma is the lack of “compliance” or the wrong drug inhalation technique. In line with the GINA guidelines administration of the combo drugs (inhaled corticosteroid plus formoterol in one inhaler) as baseline treatment and reliever represents the optimal form of treatment.