[Bronchial asthma: current concepts].

Abstract

Asthma, a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways, involves activation of various cell types and development of various degres of post-inflammatory lealing and repair processes which remodel the airways. The short duration of the severe episodes is clearly related to the degree of inflammation, but the natural history of the disease itself remains unclear. Treatment must take into account the fact that clinical expression varies, associating short episodes which can be prevented or attenuated with bronchodilatators and severe acute episodes which should be treated or prevented by anti-inflammatory drugs (inhaled corticosteroids are the most effective) preferably given in the early stages of the disease and used for a prolonged period. Long-term use of inhaled corticosteroids may limit airway remodeling, but there have been few long-term studies to date. Further data is required.