This issue of the European Respiratory Monograph describes the current status of commonly used as well as investigational end-points in all relevant areas of pulmonary medicine. It includes comprehensive chapters on the most prevalent respiratory disorders, from asthma to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung fibrosis, cystic fibrosis and critical care problems. The second half of this book provides a detailed description of specific outcomes, their value, their limitations and the future promise they might hold.