Control of asthma in real life: still a valuable goal?

1. 1. 1. 
         doi:10.1183/16000617.00001615Eur Respir Rev June 1, 2015 vol. 24 no. 136 361-369
2. Andriana I. Papaioannou1, 
3. Konstantinos Kostikas1, 
4. Eleftherios Zervas2,
5. Lykourgos Kolilekas2, 
6. Spiridon Papiris1 and 
7. Mina Gaga2⇑

+Author Affiliations

1. ¹2nd Respiratory Medicine Dept, University of Athens Medical School, Attikon Hospital, Athens, Greece
2. ²7th Respiratory Medicine Dept and Asthma Center, Athens Chest Hospital “Sotiria”, Athens, Greece

1. Mina Gaga, 7th Respiratory Dept and Asthma Center, Athens Chest Hospital “Sotiria”, Athens 11527, Greece. E-mail: minagaga@yahoo.com

Abstract

Although studies show that control of asthma can be achieved in the majority of patients, surveys repeatedly show that this is not the case in real life. Important measures to implement in order to achieve asthma control are trained healthcare professionals, a good patient–doctor relationship, patient education, avoidance of exposure to triggers, personalised management and adherence to treatment.

These measures help the majority of asthma patients but have not yet been widely implemented and there should be a concerted action for their implementation. Moreover, further and focused research is needed in severe/refractory asthma.

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