Abstract
PURPOSE
Asthma is a chronic disorder of the airways involving inflammation and airway hyper-reactivity. Clinical diagnosis and monitoring of asthma must incorporate the immunological, biochemical, and histological changes of a chronic disorder, while recognizing acute phenotypic changes in order to optimally tailor therapeutics to each individual.
RECENT FINDINGS
Articles published within the previous 18 months are summarized in this article in order to present an up to date review of the latest findings regarding the monitoring of asthma. The articles encompass a wide array of specialties from basic research and histology to clinical medicine as well as community medicine and nursing.
SUMMARY
Exciting new advancements in the monitoring of asthma continue to unfold. Potentially new diagnostic and monitoring tools are highlighted in this study. Continued investigations may enable a select few methodologies to reach clinical utility in the ongoing monitoring and treatment of patients with asthma.
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