[Asthma, an inflammatory disease: the resulting diagnostic and clinical methods]

Asthma is a common disease and its morbidity and mortality seem to increase despite a broader choice of satisfactory medication. Asthma is now identified as a chronic inflammatory bronchial condition and not only as "bronchospasm". Because asthma is a chronic condition associated with an increased mortality, a closer follow-up of asthmatic subjects with objective assessments has been suggested. An international consensus on an adequate treatment action plan has been reached. This scheme suggests the early use of antiinflammatory preparations instead of simple broncho-dilators.