Risk factors and long-term treatment in obstructive airways disease.

The multi-centre study which is described in this thesis was performed in patients with obstructive airways disease, including both asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Asthma is a syndrome characterized by attacks of dyspnea or wheezing and variable airways obstruction. The clinical hallmark is increased airways responsiveness which in part reflects the underlying chronic inflammatory process. Zie: Summary and discussion