Changing pharmacological approaches in mild asthma

Current International and National guidelines on the management of asthma recommend a regular treatment with low doses of inhaled corticosteroids for patients with mild persistent asthma to achieve asthma control and reduce the risks of severe asthma exacerbations. However, recent clinical trials have hampered the traditional view that all patients with mild persistent asthma should be treated regularly with low doses of inhaled corticosteroids. Different strategies for the treatment of these patients have been recently proposed. Promising results have come from clinical trials that have tested different options, including the combination of inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting β2-agonists, oral leukotriene antagonist, and the intermittent or as-needed use of inhaled corticosteroids in the absence of regular treatment. Conversely, pharmacological approaches/strategies other than as-needed bronchodilation still need to be tested for the vast population of patients with mild intermittent asthma.