Asthma

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

• ISBN13: 9780632057214
• ISBN10: 0632057211
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2002-01-01
• 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	vii
Preface	x
Acknowledgements	xii
Part 1: Epidemiology
Why is the incidence of asthma increasing?	3	(15)
P.M. Matricardi
S. Bonini
Why is asthma more common in the West?	18	(17)
E. Von Mutius
How much asthma can be attributed to atopic sensitization?	35	(11)
R. Beasley
J. Douwes
J. Pekkanen
N.E. Pearce
Is air pollution important in asthma?	46	(23)
A.J. Chauhan
Part 2: Pathophysiology
Is infection important in the pathogenesis and clinical expression of asthma?	69	(16)
E.R. Sutherland
R.J. Martin
Does infection in early life protect against or cause asthma?	85	(14)
B. Bjorksten
Does asthma progress to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease?	99	(17)
S.T. Weiss
Antenatal factors in the development of atopy and asthma?	116	(22)
P.G. Woodruff
S.L. Prescott
P.G. Holt
J.V. Fahy
Genetics of asthma: what's new?	138	(33)
I. Sayers
B. Beghe
J. Hollyoway
S.T. Holgate
Part 3: Treatment
Can airway fibrosis be prevented?	171	(28)
D. Smallwood
J. Wilson
Does allergen avoidance help? What are the practical measures that patients can take?	199	(28)
A. Custovic
A. Woodcock
Is early treatment of children necessary?	227	(14)
P.J. Helms
What are the mechanisms of corticosteroid resistance in asthma?	241	(14)
P.J. Barnes
What new therapies are being developed for asthma and will they offer something better than steroids?	255	(23)
J.C. Kips
K.G. Tournoy
R.A. Pauwels
What is the role of long-acting β2-agonists in the treatment of asthma?	278	(21)
M.R. Sears
What is the role of leukotriene modifiers in the treatment of asthma?	299	(22)
M.E. Wechsler
J.M. Drazen
Part 4: Delivery of Care
What are the issues in delivering care in primary care?	321	(22)
D. Price
Are asthma clinics useful: should they be run by the doctor or the nurse?	343	(12)
B.D.W. Harrison
S.M. Mildenhall
Should asthma be managed by the patient or the doctor: is education important?	355	(10)
M.R. Partridge
Are psychosocial factors important in asthma?	365	(16)
B.D.W. Harrison
S.M. Mildenhall
Index	381