General approach to asthma: a narrative review

Abstract

Objective: Report an updated general approach to asthma. Bibliographic review: Asthma can be defined as a condition caused by episodic and reversible bronchoconstriction, secondary to airway inflammation, which can occur due to several factors, such as infections, environmental allergens and irritants. It is an immune-mediated, multifactorial condition that presents with a very varied and complex clinic. Allergic inflammation is commanded by CD4 + helper T lymphocytes (Th2), which secretes interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5 and IL-13. Diagnosis is made in the presence of risk factors for the disease, respiratory signs and symptoms typical of acute and reversible airflow limitation documented by spirometry. Medications used to treat asthmatic patients are divided into two groups: relief and controllers. As representatives of relief drugs, we have short-acting ß2 agonists, anticholinergics and systemic corticosteroids, while the controllers are mainly long-acting ß2 agonists and inhaled glucocorticoids. Final considerations: Asthma is a condition that affects the patient's daily life. Its pathophysiology is related to the production of inflammatory cytokines that trigger an asthma attack, which is classified and treated when analyzing the clinical picture and spirometry.