Leukotriene receptor antagonists in the treatment of bronchial asthma: Consensus agreement “Bronchial Asthma and LEukoTriene receptor antagonists (BALET)”

Abstract

Under the auspices of the Russian Association of Allergists and Clinical Immunologists and the Russian Pediatric Respiratory Society, an expert meeting "Leukotriene receptor antagonists in the treatment of bronchial asthma" was held. Asthma is a common non-communicable chronic disorder of the airways and is characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, airflow obstruction, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and underlying inflammation. The creation and widespread use of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and other innovative classes of drugs for the treatment of bronchial asthma has significantly affected the ability to achieve control over the course of the disease. Despite this, in most European countries, more than half of patients with bronchial asthma have suboptimal disease control [1]. In the past decades, a class of leukotriene receptor blockers which contributes to the suppression of chronic allergic inflammation in patients with asthma has been actively studied. The majority of studies confirm the usefulness of montelukast as monotherapy and add-on therapy to ICS in mild to moderate asthma across all age groups [12-19,21-40]. However, experts note that in practical medicine the healthcare providers continue to ask questions regarding the effectiveness and safety of this class of medicines in patients with bronchial asthma. In this consensus document, the experts considered it important to provide an unequivocal answer for clinical practice to several topical questions regarding the use of antileukotriene therapy.