For a patient with mild, persistent asthma, which treatment is commonly recommended?

For a patient with mild, persistent asthma, the commonly recommended treatment is inhaled corticosteroids. This class of medication is considered the first-line therapy for managing asthma due to its effectiveness in reducing airway inflammation, which is a key underlying factor in asthma pathophysiology. Inhaled corticosteroids work by directly targeting the inflammation in the airways, leading to improved lung function and reduced asthma symptoms.

Mild, persistent asthma is defined by the presence of asthma symptoms more than twice a week but not daily, and nighttime awakenings occurring 3 to 4 times a month. According to asthma management guidelines, regular use of inhaled corticosteroids is essential for controlling symptoms and preventing exacerbations in these patients.

While short-acting beta-agonists can provide rapid relief of acute asthma symptoms, they are not sufficient for long-term control in patients with persistent asthma. Long-acting beta-agonists may be used in combination with inhaled corticosteroids for better control, but they are not appropriate as monotherapy for asthma due to safety concerns. Leukotriene receptor antagonists can also be used in the management of asthma, but they are typically considered an alternative option and are not the first-line treatment for mild persistent cases.

Thus, inhaled