Asthma is the world's most common chronic respiratory condition, affecting over 350 million people worldwide and inflicting a heavy individual, social and economic burden of disease. In this rapidly changing field, a plethora of new inhaled therapies and devices have emerged, as well as a better understanding of disease phenotyping and biology. This fully updated fifth edition of 'Fast Facts: Asthma' discusses recent trends in an easy-reference format, while highlighting imminent new developments, to provide a valuable resource for general practitioners, specialist asthma nurses and others with a keen interest in improving the outcomes of the very many people living with asthma. Table of Contents: . Pathophysiology . Epidemiology, etiology and natural history . Diagnosis and classification . Asthma medications . Management principles . Severe and refractory asthma . Acute asthma attacks . Preventing asthma attacks . Asthma in special circumstances . Developments