Difficult Asthma

1. Difficult Asthma: The Dimensions of the Problem 2. The Inflammation-Repair Cycle in Asthma 3. Pathology of Severe Asthma and Prognosis 4. Environmental Factors and Rising Time Trends in Prevalence and Severity 5. Gastroesophageal Reflux and Upper Airways Diseases in Severe Asthma 6. Contribution of Gas Exchange and Pulmonary Circulation to Difficult Asthma 7. Occupational Asthma 8. Drug-Induced Asthma 9. Asthma in the Elderly 10. Difficult Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 11. The Acute Exacerbation of Asthma 12. Nocturnal Asthma 13. Severe Asthma in Childhood 14. The Value of Lung Function Tests (including blood gases) in Acute Severe Asthma 15. The Prevention of Severe Asthma 16. Management of the Acute Exacerbation and Emergency Treatment of Asthma 17. Brittle Asthma 18. Intensive Care Management of Severe Asthma including Assisted Ventilation 19. Epidemic Asthma 20. e2-Agonists in Severe Asthma 21. Glucocorticoids in Severe Asthma 22. Glucocorticoid Resistant Asthma 23. Psychosocial Factors in Severe Asthma 24. Long-Acting e-Adrenergic Agonists, Theophylline and Anticholinergic Agents in Difficult Asthma 25. Lessons to be Learnt from Confidential Enquiries into Asthma Mortality in Adults 26. Immunotherapeutic Approaches to the Drug Therapy in Severe Asthma, including Immunosupp ressants and Intravenous Immunoglobulin Antileukotriene Agents in Difficult Asthma 27. Socio-Economic Factors 28. Anaphylaxis: Diagnosis and Management Approach to Severe Asthma 29. Difficult Asthma: The Unanswered Questions