Asthma and Rhinitis

From The Critics

Reviewer: Kevin P. Simpson, MD(Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine)
Description: This book is a very thorough review of the pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying asthma and rhinitis including epidemiology and pathology, cellular and molecular mediators, and clinical therapeutic complications.
Purpose: The purpose was to produce a book useful to both the basic scientist and clinician, summarizing the most recent advances in the understanding of the cellular and molecular mediators of asthma and rhinitis. This is a worthy objective, given the seemingly endless stream of literature produced monthly in these areas. The objectives are largely met, although given the desire to cover all aspects of asthma and rhinitis, some areas are necessarily not covered in detail.
Audience: According to the author, this book is intended for both scientists and clinicians involved in the evaluation and treatment of patients with asthma and rhinitis. It will likely be most useful as a reference for fellows and practicing physicians in pulmonary medicine and allergy as a resource of basic science information. It is compiled by multiple credible authors from an international array of institutions.
Features: The book is very nicely illustrated with multiple figures and tables which greatly aid in the reader's understanding. References are current and extensive. The overall appearance is impressive.
Assessment: This is a very impressive book by virtue of its thoroughness in reviewing all aspects of the pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying the development of asthma and rhinitis. The basic science foundation is nicely supplemented by the consideration given to pathology and epidemiology, as well as clinical and therapeutic implications. Overall, this book represents a worthwhile and largely successful attempt at creating a single, up-to-date reference source of all that is presently known concerning the development of asthma and rhinitis.

Kevin P. Simpson

This book is a very thorough review of the pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying asthma and rhinitis including epidemiology and pathology, cellular and molecular mediators, and clinical therapeutic complications. The purpose was to produce a book useful to both the basic scientist and clinician, summarizing the most recent advances in the understanding of the cellular and molecular mediators of asthma and rhinitis. This is a worthy objective, given the seemingly endless stream of literature produced monthly in these areas. The objectives are largely met, although given the desire to cover all aspects of asthma and rhinitis, some areas are necessarily not covered in detail. According to the author, this book is intended for both scientists and clinicians involved in the evaluation and treatment of patients with asthma and rhinitis. It will likely be most useful as a reference for fellows and practicing physicians in pulmonary medicine and allergy as a resource of basic science information. It is compiled by multiple credible authors from an international array of institutions. The book is very nicely illustrated with multiple figures and tables which greatly aid in the reader's understanding. References are current and extensive. The overall appearance is impressive. This is a very impressive book by virtue of its thoroughness in reviewing all aspects of the pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying the development of asthma and rhinitis. The basic science foundation is nicely supplemented by the consideration given to pathology and epidemiology, as well as clinical and therapeutic implications. Overall, this book represents a worthwhile and largely successful attempt at creating asingle, up-to-date reference source of all that is presently known concerning the development of asthma and rhinitis.

3 Stars from Doody