According to current asthma management guidelines, achieving and maintain asthma control is the main goal of asthma treatment. GINA 2006 defines five steps of intensity of asthma treatment and selection of treatment options is made on the basis of asthma control level. It is recommended using reliever medication and asthma control medication as asthma pharmacotherapy. On account of the key role of airway inflammation in pathogenesis of asthma inhaled corticosteroids are the most effective anti-inflammatory medication for asthma treatment. The GOAL study shows that the majority of patients were able to achieve asthma control. However, despite the availability of very effective medications in some patients asthma remains poorly controlled. There is opinion that successful treatment in asthma is not only provided with appropriate pharmacotherapy. Report GINA pays attention to importance of close partnership between doctor and patient, self-management education and creation written self-management action plan in achieving asthma control. Reasons for uncontrolled asthma are numerous. The main cause is patient non-compliance with therapy and may be split into drug-dependent and drug-independent nonadherence. There are also other factors which may contribute to asthma symptoms and exacerbations including allergen exposure, comorbid conditions and active and passive smoking. Recognition and elimination these factors reduce need for medication and improve asthma control.

asthma control, asthma management guidelines, GINA, asthma treatment, therapy compliance, factors determining asthma control