Pathogenesis of asthma

There is now strong evidence that airway inflammation is a predominant underlying problem in patients with asthma, and it has been suggested that ongoing inflammation may lead to airway injury and remodeling. There is also recent evidence that longstanding asthma could be associated with loss of elastic recoil, which can enhance airway obstruction and worsen asthma control [82,83]. Therefore, the use of anti-inflammatory therapy has been advocated in all guidelines, including the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) Expert Panel Report [84] and its recent update [85] that recommended inhaled steroids as a first mode of therapy for patients with mild, moderate, or severe, persistent asthma. There is preliminary evidence that early institution of anti-inflammatory therapy might lead to disease modification and limit the progression of subepithelial fibrosis and airway remodeling. The pathogenesis of asthma clearly involves many cells and mediators, although the contribution of each individual factor is probably different from patient to patient depending on the setting and stimulus. Although currently available therapies are highly effective in controlling asthma symptoms and limiting exacerbations in the majority of patients, there is still a subset of patients that proceed to develop severe asthma with decreased lung function, lack of responsiveness to therapy, or frequent exacerbations. It is hoped that rapid progress in the area of asthma genetics and pharmacogenetics will yield a more precise and patient-specific understanding of asthma pathogenesis and allow practitioners to prescribe therapies that are designed for a particular patient or exacerbation. That will undoubtedly help to improve the care of asthma, limit its morbidity, and reduce the side effect of medications.