Future Risks in Patients With Severe Asthma
10.4168/aair.2019.11.6.763
- Author:
Woo Jung SONG
1
;
Ji Hyang LEE
;
Yewon KANG
;
Woo Joung JOUNG
;
Kian Fan CHUNG
Author Information
1. Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. swj0126@amc.seoul.kr
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords:
Asthma;
severity;
risk
- MeSH:
Adrenal Cortex Hormones;
Asthma;
Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions;
Humans;
Lung;
Quality of Life
- From:Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research
2019;11(6):763-778
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
A major burden of severe asthma is the future risk of adverse health outcomes. Patients with severe asthma are prone to serious exacerbation and deterioration of lung function and may experience side effects of medications such as oral corticosteroids (OCSs). However, such future risk is not easily measurable in daily clinical practice. In particular, currently available tools to measure asthma control and asthma-related quality of life incompletely predict the future risk of medication-related morbidity. This is a significant issue in asthma management. This review summarizes the current evidence of future risk in patients with severe asthma. As future risk is poorly perceived by controlled asthmatics, our review focuses on the risk in patients with ‘controlled’ severe asthma. Of note, it is likely that long-term OCS therapy may not prevent future asthma progression, including lung function decline. In addition, the risk of drug side effects increases even during low-dose OCS therapy. Thus, novel treatments are highly desirable for reducing future risks without any loss of asthma control.
