Asthma is a common, chronic, and heterogeneous respiratory disease affecting 1–18% of the population in different countries.1 The Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guidelines define asthma as disease with a history of respiratory symptoms, such as wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, cough; which vary over time and in intensity, together with variable expiratory airflow limitation. In most parts of the world the asthma prevalence seems to still be increasing. The increase is associated with urbanization and has been documented particularly among children and teenagers in urban areas of middle and low-level income countries. Poorly controlled asthma is a significant cause of morbidity and places a substantial burden on patients and healthcare systems. The goal of asthma treatment is therefore to improve control and minimize the risk of future asthma exacerbations.

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