The inflammatory response in asthma.

Asthma is remarkably underdiagnosed and undertreated. While the clinical hallmark of asthma is reversible airflow obstruction, airway inflammation is the major pathologic feature. Studies have linked airway hyperresponsiveness, the basic physiologic defect in asthma, with airway inflammation, even in patients who have mild asthma. Management is directed toward treating the underlying disease process with anti-inflammatory therapy and alleviating breakthrough symptoms with bronchodilators.