| Abstract | Asthma remains a potentially fatal condition. It is now recognised to be more than simple bronchospasm, but a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways. Asthma mortality, in fact, was rising by 10.5% annually in young males in Hong Kong between 1976-1985. Most of these deaths in asthma can be avoided, as they are either due to under-diagnosis or under-treatment of the acute attack superimposed upon poor daily control of the disease. It is imperative, therefore, that physicians should remain vigilant about the control of asthma. Simple symptomatic relief by bronchodilator alone may not be able to achieve good control and to prevent deaths. Good control of asthma can only be achieved by anti-inflammatory agents such as topical steroid. |
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