Does mild persistent asthma require regular treatment?

Current national and international guidelines recommend regularly scheduled treatment with inhaled corticosteroids for patients with mild persistent asthma. This recommendation is supported by solid evidence that such treatment achieves and maintains asthma control. Although there is not universal agreement, there are data, reviewed by Vignola, that suggest that continuous suppression of airway inflammation by means of inhaled corticosteroids (referred to as controller therapy) may not only control asthma but also prevent its progression.