Is it time to move away from short-acting beta-agonists in asthma management?. Issue 4 (4th April 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Martin, Matthew J.; Harrison, Tim W.
• Is Part Of: European respiratory journal. Volume 53:Issue 4(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-04-04
• Subjects: Respiratory organs -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Respiration -- Periodicals; 616.2
• DOI: 10.1183/13993003.02223-2018
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0903-1936

Abstract

Asthma is a common chronic inflammatory disease of the airways, which continues to cause considerable morbidity and unnecessary mortality across the world [1, 2]. The recognition that even mild asthma is associated with airway inflammation led to the early and widespread use of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) from the 1970s onwards [3, 4], transforming asthma care by significantly reducing severe exacerbations and asthma deaths. However, the persistently high levels of poor asthma control and ongoing asthma deaths in the 21st century are a growing concern [5, 6] and we believe the widespread use and overuse of short-acting beta-agonist (SABA) inhalers are a major part of the problem. Frequent SABA use is associated with adverse asthma outcomes and evidence suggests replacing SABA with fast-acting LABA/ICS as reliever therapy reduces asthma exacerbation risk. We believe the time has come to move away from SABAs in asthma management. http://ow.ly/87UJ30nVGNc