Asthmakontrolle: Rolle der Kombinationstherapie mit inhalativen Kortikosteroiden und lang wirksamen β2-Sympathomimetika bei Kindern und Jugendlichen

The current article presents the concept of asthma control introduced in national and international guidelines, which envisages treatment according to a step-wise plan depending on the degree of asthma control. To assess the latter, short and simple questionnaires, such as the Asthma Control Test, are available and also validated for use in children. Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are still considered the basis of antiinflammatory therapy. Children with poorly controlled asthma under monotherapy with safely dosed ICS may be treated concurrently with a long-acting inhaled β2-agonist. In this context, fixed combinations of active substances should be preferred for reasons of compliance, while type and quantity should be adjusted to asthma control regularly in order to avoid long-term overtreatment.