TY - JOUR AU - Jones, Paul W PY - 2011/12/05 Y2 - 2024/03/28 TI - ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF ASTHMA AND CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONORY DISEASE (COPD) – CONVERGING APPROACHES JF - Journal of Postgraduate Medical Institute JA - J Postgrad Med Inst VL - 25 IS - 4 SE - Review Article DO - UR - https://www.jpmi.org.pk/index.php/jpmi/article/view/1216 SP - AB - This review compares the methods of assessment and treatment objectives used for asthma and COPD.<br />There is now a significant amount of convergence between the two diseases in these areas. It is now well<br />recognised that both are inflammatory diseases. Anti-inflammatory therapy with inhaled corticosteroids<br />(ICS) forms the basis of asthma therapy (and are underused in many countries, including Pakistan), but<br />there also is now very good evidence that ICS reduce bronchial inflammation in COPD, especially when<br />used in combination with long-acting beta -agonists. 2<br />Guidelines recommend that asthma assessment in routine practice, is based upon an evaluation of the level<br />of asthma control; COPD assessment is moving towards something very similar, but it is termed health<br />status measurement. Simple standardised methods designed for use in routine practice are now available<br />for both purposes.<br />Treatment in both conditions also now has two objectives:<br />1. To reduce symptoms to achieve control (in asthma) and improved health status (in COPD);<br />2. Preventative therapy to reduce the risk of exacerbations.<br />In asthma, exacerbations are associated with a risk of hospital admissions and death and in COPD the<br />same risks apply, but now with good evidence that exacerbations also speed disease progression.<br />The treatments that are available for asthma can, if used properly, achieve high levels of control. Whilst<br />new drugs are welcome, good application of existing drugs would very greatly reduce the burden of this<br />disease on patients and healthcare systems. New treatments are steadily becoming available for COPD and<br />there is now much that can be done to reduce the burden of this disease. Both diseases are eminently<br />treatable. ER -