Asthma: Critical Debates

by Editor: Sebastian L. Johnston (Imperial College School of Medicine, London); Editor: Stephen T. Holgate

• ISBN13: 9780470693100
• ISBN10: 047069310X
• Format: eBook
• Copyright: 2008-04-01
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Summary

Asthma is one of the most important diseases affecting our society. It is an extremely common condition that reduces quality of life, and acute exacerbations can be life-threatening. It affects a disproportionate number of children. With the overwhelming volume of research being carried out in this field specialists need a method of keeping up-to-date with current opinion.As with the other 'Challenges' books, 'Challenges in Asthma' is aimed at hospital specialists and therefore assumes a certain level of knowledge about the disease. It builds on this by discussing only areas of controversy and uncertainty in both the basic understanding of asthma and its management. An international author list will provide stimulating debate with, and ultimately draw some conclusions from, existing data which will benefit readers in their day-to-day practice.

Table of Contents

List of contributors

Preface

Acknowledgements.

Epidemiology.

Why is the incidence of asthma increasing

Why is asthma more common in the West

How much asthma can be attributed to atopic sensitization

Is air pollution important in asthma

Pathophysiology.

Is infection important in the pathogenesis and clinical expression of asthma

Does infection in early life protect against or cause asthma

Does asthma progress to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Antenatal factors in the development of atopy and asthma

Genetics of asthma: WhatÆs new

Treatment.

Can airway fibrosis be prevented

Does allergen avoidance help? What are the practical measures that patients can take

Is early treatment of children necessary

What are the mechanisms of corticosteroid resistance in asthma

What new therapies are being developed for asthma and will they offer something better than steroids

What is the orel of long-acting ß2 -agonists in the treatment of asthma

What is the role of leukotriene modifiers in the treatment of asthma

Delivery of Care.

What are the issues in delivering care in primary care

Are asthma clinics useful: should they be run by the doctors or the nurse

Should asthma be managed by the patient or the doctor: is education important

Are psychosocial factors important in asthma

Index

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