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Steroid resistant asthma: what is the clinical definition?
1Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Sydney, Australia.
The European Respiratory Journal
|May 1, 1993
Summary
Steroid resistant asthma requires careful investigation into contributing factors beyond the disease itself. Identifying these elements ensures accurate diagnosis and tailored treatment for better patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Allergy and Immunology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Asthma is typically responsive to steroid therapy.
- A subset of patients exhibits poor response or requires high steroid doses, leading to side effects.
- Steroid resistant asthma encompasses these challenging cases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define steroid resistant asthma and identify factors influencing steroid unresponsiveness.
- To emphasize the necessity of investigating contributing factors for accurate diagnosis.
- To highlight the benefits of a strict clinical definition for improved patient management and research.
Main Methods:
- Clinical assessment to identify factors preventing a normal steroid response.
- Evaluation of potential contributing elements such as misdiagnosis, allergen exposure, and medication adherence.
- Systematic review of patient management plans.
Main Results:
- Several factors can impede steroid effectiveness in asthma.
- These include incorrect diagnosis, ongoing exposure to allergens, and suboptimal treatment adherence.
- Failure to follow a strict management plan exacerbates steroid resistance.
Conclusions:
- A precise clinical definition of steroid resistant asthma is crucial for effective patient care.
- This approach facilitates targeted investigations and personalized treatment strategies.
- It also enables confident use of alternative anti-inflammatory agents and defines patient cohorts for future research.