Blunted Perception and Death from Asthma

Despite astounding advances in our understanding and treatment of asthma, patients still die. Indeed, mortality from asthma in several countries, including the United States, continues to rise, unlike mortality from other common treatable conditions1. The majority of deaths from asthma are avoidable if patients are adequately treated. Most deaths follow a period of unstable and deteriorating control of asthma, and pathological examination of the lungs shows an intense inflammatory response with widespread mucous plugging2. This finding suggests that therapeutic intervention -- in particular, an increase in glucocorticoid therapy -- is possible. A small proportion of patients, however, die . . .