A New Approach to the Treatment of Asthma

ASTHMA affects more than 5 percent of the population in industrialized countries, yet it is underdiagnosed and undertreated. There is evidence that the prevalence and severity of asthma are rising.1 The number of deaths from asthma may also be rising,2 3 4 5 contrary to the trend for other common treatable conditions.6 These alarming increases are occurring despite a marked increase in prescribed asthma therapy,7 , 8 which suggests that currently available therapy is inadequate or is not being used optimally. In the past, attention has been concentrated on bronchoconstrictor mechanisms and possible abnormalities of airway smooth muscle in asthma, with consequent emphasis on bronchodilator . . .