2018 Volume 32 Issue 4 Pages 716-722
Japanese pediatric guidelines for the treatment and management of bronchial asthma were revised in 2017. This guideline has partially revised the section of pathology, the evaluation of asthma severity and treatment steps. The sections on definition, pathophysiology and diagnosis of childhood asthma are revised according to recent reports. Key words are airway inflammation, bronchial hyperresponsiveness and remodeling. Also, the sections on asthma severity and treatment steps are revised for choice and administration of drugs in the long-term management of childhood asthma. When the treatment is stepped down or stepped up, the understanding of “control level” is important. On the other hand, when the long-term management and education of patients are advanced, the understanding of “true severity” is important. It is recommended to carry out objective evaluations suitable for the disease condition in individual patients in a timely manner and to promote long-term treatment and guidance based on this result.
