Asthma. Anti-inflammatory therapies.

It is likely that airway inflammation has an central role in the development and maintenance of the structural and functional abnormalities that characterise asthma. The recognition that asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways has resulted in an increased emphasis on the use of anti-inflammatory drugs. The principal anti-inflammatory drugs are corticosteroids and to a lesser extent sodium cromoglycate and nedocromil sodium. Several other drugs and therapies may also have anti-inflammatory effects in asthma. The early use of prophylactic anti-inflammatory agents is advocated in the treatment of chronic asthma. It is hoped that this treatment scheme will result in a reduction in the morbidity and mortality from this common chronic condition.