Primary care approach to asthma management

Asthma is a common heterogeneous syndrome characterized by airflow obstruction, bronchial hyper-responsiveness, and underlying inflammation. It is a major cause of lost work and school, lower quality of life and increased emergency room visits. Treatment involves a comprehensive step-wise approach to patient care, matching symptom severity with appropriate therapeutic intervention and close monitoring of clinical response. Well established guidelines have outlined the diagnosis and management of asthma, however it remains critical that clinicians educate patients and encourage active participation in their own care.