pharmacogenomics
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways characterized by bronchial hyperresponsiveness, reversible airflow limitation, and respiratory symptoms. Asthma is a common disease worldwide, affecting more than 300 million individuals in the developed world. The goal of asthma treatment is to achieve and maintain clinical control. Asthma treatment can be divided into four main categories: the avoidance of risk factors that cause asthma exacerbations such as allergens, viral infections, pollutants, environmental control to reduce allergens, immunotherapy, and pharmacotherapy. Pharmacotherapy plays a main role in controlling and preventing asthma. The current treatment guidelines recommend a stepwise approach to pharmacologic therapy based on asthma control.