ACUTE LIFE-THREATENING ASTHMA - DIAGNOSTIC PROBLEMS, THERAPEUTIC NECESSITIES

Despite of medical progress an increase in asthma mortality and morbidity can be observed worldwide. 2% of all patients suffering from severe asthma die. According to investigations concerning asthma mortality misjudgements of the state of illness and failures in treatment can be found on the part of patients as well as the medical sector. Therefore, it is important to identify patients with (acute) life-threatening asthma and to lead them to appropriate supervision, >> training << and therapy. Important characteristics of these patients are: severe permanent asthma (being obliged to take steroids), FEV1 < 60% despite therapy, ignorance and lack of self-care, recent emergency hospitalization and cardial symptoms.