Summary of Korean Asthma Guideline.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease characterized by variable airflow obstruction. Korean Asthma Study Group in Korean Academy of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases has updated Korean Asthma Guideline. This review summarized the updated Korean Asthma Guideline. Asthma prevalence is increasing worldwide and is also increasing in Korea. Variable airflow obstruction can be confirmed by bronchodilator response or other tests and should be established prior to the controller medication. A low-dose inhaled corticosteroid-formoterol is used to alleviate symptoms in all treatment step, and it can be used as a controller as well as reliever in steps 3-5. This approach is preferred because it reduces the risk of severe exacerbations compared to the use of short-acting β2-agonist as reliever. In severe asthma, phenotype/endotype based on the underlying inflammation should be evaluated. For type 2 severe asthma, biologics should be considered.