Transcript Document
G lobal
INitiative for
A sthma
Program Objectives
Increase appreciation of asthma as a global public
health problem
Present key recommendations for diagnosis and
management of asthma
Provide strategies to adapt recommendations to
varying health needs, services, and resources
Identify areas for future investigation of particular
significance to the global community
GINA Structure
Executive Committee
Chair: Tim Clark, MD
Dissemination
Committee
Science
Committee
Chair: Martyn Partridge, MD
Chair: Paul O’Byrne, MD
GINA reports prepared during workshops conducted in cooperation with
the U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, NIH and the World
Health Organization.
GINA Sponsors
AstraZeneca
Merck, Sharp & Dohme
Aventis
Mitsubishi Pharma
Bayer
Nikken Chemicals
Boehringer Ingelheim Novartis
Byk Gulden
Schering-Plough
Chiesi
Sepracor
GlaxoSmithKline
Viatris
Yamanouchi
Executive Committee
T. Clark, UK, Chair
J. Bousquet, France
W. Busse, USA
S. Holgate, UK
C. Lenfant, USA
P. O’Byrne, Canada
K. Ohta, Japan
M. Partridge, UK
S. Pedersen, Denmark
R. Singh, India
A. Sheffer, USA
W. Tan, Singapore
Science Committee
P. O’Byrne, Canada, Chair
P. Barnes, UK
P. Gibson, Australia
E. Bateman, S. Africa S. Holgate, UK
J. Bousquet, France
J. Kips, Belgium
W. Busse, USA
K. Ohta, Japan
J. Drazen, USA
S. Pedersen, Denmark
M. FitzGerald, Canada E. von Mutius, Germany
Science Committee:
Objectives
Develop methods to track and
evaluate new scientific research
on asthma
Develop a process to evaluate
impact of new scientific findings
on GINA documents
Science Committee:
Objectives (continued)
Identify a network of individuals to
serve as ongoing reviewers
With the Dissemination Committee,
develop methods to disseminate new
scientific findings that impact on GINA
documents
Dissemination Committee
M. Partridge, UK, chair
G. Anabwani, Botswana
R. Beasley, N. Zealand
H. Campos, Brazil
Y. Chen, China
F. Gallefoss, Norway
M. Haida, Japan
J. Khan, Pakistan
R. Neville, UK
A. Sheffer, USA
J. Sinnadurai, Malaysia
R. Singh, India
W. Tan, Singapore
R. Tomlins, Australia
O. van Schyack, Netherlands
H. Zar, S. Africa
Dissemination Committee:
Objectives
Enhance dissemination of GINA reports
Ensure that all concerned with care of
patients with asthma are knowledgeable
about recommendations
Evaluate methods to alter health
professional behaviour
Recommend methods to assess and
monitor outcomes
GINA Documents
Workshop Report: Global Strategy for
Asthma Management and Prevention
(updated 2002)
Pocket guide for health care providers
Pocket guide for management of pediatric
asthma (available mid-2002)
Guide for asthma patients and their
families
All materials are available on GINA web site www.ginasthma.com
GINA Workshop Report
Developed during workshops conducted in
cooperation with the National Heart, Lung, and
Blood Institute, NIH and the World Health
Organization
Evidence-based
Implementation oriented
Diagnosis
Management
Prevention
Outcomes can be evaluated
GINA Workshop Report
Evidence Category Sources of Evidence
A
Randomized clinical trials
Rich body of data
B
Randomized clinical trials
Limited body of data
C
Non-randomized trials
Observational studies
D
Panel judgment consensus
GINA Workshop Report
Topics:
Definition
Burden of Asthma
Risk Factors
Mechanisms
Diagnosis and Classification
Education and Delivery of Care
Six Part Asthma Management Plan
Research Recommendations
Definition of Asthma
A chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways
Many cells and cellular elements play a role
Chronic inflammation leads to an increase in
airway hyperresponsiveness with recurrent
episodes of wheezing, coughing, and
shortness of breath
Widespread, variable, and often reversible
airflow limitation
Definition of Asthma
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the
airways in which many cells and cellular elements play
a role
Chronic inflammation causes an associated increase in
airway hyperresponsiveness that leads to recurrent
episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness,
and coughing, particularly at night or in the early
morning
These episodes are usually associated with
widespread but variable airflow obstruction that is often
reversible either spontaneously or with treatment
Mechanisms Underlying the
Definition of Asthma
Risk Factors
(for development of asthma)
INFLAMMATION
Airway
Hyperresponsiveness
Risk Factors
(for exacerbations)
Airflow Obstruction
Symptoms
Burden of Asthma
Asthma is one of the most common chronic
diseases worldwide
Prevalence increasing in many countries,
especially in children
A major cause of school/work absence
An overall increase in severity of asthma
increases the pool of patients at risk for
death
Burden of Asthma
Health care expenditures very high
Developed economies might expect to
spend 1-2 percent of total health care
expenditures on asthma. Developing
economies likely to face increased demand
Poorly controlled asthma is expensive;
investment in prevention medication likely
to yield cost savings in emergency care
Worldwide
Variation in
Prevalence of
Asthma
Symptoms
International Study of
Asthma and Allergies in
Children (ISAAC)
Lancet 1998;351:1225
Increasing Prevalence of Asthma in
Children/Adolescents
{1966
1989
Sweden
{1979
1991
Japan
{1982
1992
Scotland
{1982
1992
UK
{1989
1994
USA
{1982
1992
New Zealand 1975
{1989
Australia
{1982
1992
Finland
(Haahtela et al)
(Aberg et al)
(Nakagomi et al)
(Rona et al)
(Omran et al)
(NHIS)
(Shaw et al)
(Peat et al)
0
5
10
15
20
Prevalence (%)
25
30
35
Countries should enter their
own data on burden of
asthma. The following three
slides are US data on
prevalence, hospitalization
rates and mortality.
Trends in Prevalence of Asthma
By Age, U.S., 1985-1996
80
Rate/1,000 Persons
Age (years)
70
<18
18-44
60
45-64
50
65+
Total (All Ages)
40
30
20
85 86
87
88 89 90 91 92 93 94
Year
95 96
Hospitalization Rates for Asthma
by Age, U.S., 1974 - 1997
Rate/100,000 Persons
40
35
<15
15-44
45-64
65+
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
74
76
78
80
82
84
86
Year
88
90
92
94
96
Death Rates for Asthma
By Race, Sex, U.S., 1980-1998
Rate/100,000 Persons
5
Black Female
4
Black Male
3
White Female
2
White Male
1
0
1980
1985
1990
Year
1995
2000
Risk Factors for Asthma
Host factors: predispose individuals to,
or protect them from, developing
asthma
Environmental factors: influence
susceptibility to development of asthma
in predisposed individuals, precipitate
asthma exacerbations, and/or cause
symptoms to persist
Factors that Exacerbate Asthma
Allergens
Air Pollutants
Respiratory infections
Exercise and hyperventilation
Weather changes
Sulfur dioxide
Food, additives, drugs
Risk Factors that Lead to
Asthma Development
Host Factors
Environmental Factors
Genetic predisposition
Atopy
Airway hyperresponsiveness
Gender
Race/Ethnicity
Indoor allergens
Outdoor allergens
Occupational sensitizers
Tobacco smoke
Air Pollution
Respiratory Infections
Parasitic infections
Socioeconomic factors
Family size
Diet and drugs
Obesity
Is it Asthma?
Recurrent episodes of wheezing
Troublesome cough at night
Cough or wheeze after exercise
Cough, wheeze or chest tightness after
exposure to airborne allergens or
pollutants
Colds “go to the chest” or take more
than 10 days to clear
Asthma Diagnosis
History and patterns of symptoms
Physical examination
Measurements of lung function
Measurements of allergic status to
identify risk factors
Classification of Severity
CLASSIFY SEVERITY
Clinical Features Before Treatment
Symptoms
STEP 4
Severe
Persistent
STEP 3
Moderate
Persistent
STEP 2
Mild
Persistent
Nocturnal
Symptoms
Continuous
Limited physical
activity
Frequent
Daily
Attacks affect activity
> 1 time week
> 1 time a week
but < 1 time a day
60% predicted
Asymptomatic
and normal PEF
between attacks
Variability > 30%
60 - 80% predicted
> 2 times a month
Variability > 30%
80% predicted
Variability 20 - 30%
< 1 time a week
STEP 1
Intermittent
FEV1 or PEF
2 times a month
80% predicted
Variability < 20%
The presence of one feature of severity is sufficient to place patient in that category.
Six-Part Asthma Management
Program
1. Educate Patients
2. Assess and Monitor Severity
3. Avoid Exposure to Risk Factors
4. Establish Medication Plans for
Chronic Management: Adults and
Children
5. Establish Plans for Managing
Exacerbations
6. Provide Regular Follow-up Care
Six-Part Asthma Management
Program
1. Educate patients to develop a partnership in
asthma management
2. Assess and monitor asthma severity with
symptom reports and measures of lung
function as much as possible
3. Avoid exposure to risk factors
4. Establish medication plans for chronic
management in children and adults
5. Establish individual plans for managing
exacerbations
6. Provide regular follow-up care
Six-part Asthma Management Program
Goals of Long-term Management
Achieve and maintain control of symptoms
Prevent asthma episodes or attacks
Maintain pulmonary function as close to normal
levels as possible
Maintain normal activity levels, including
exercise
Avoid adverse effects from asthma medications
Prevent development of irreversible airflow
limitation
Prevent asthma mortality
Six-part Asthma Management Program
Control of Asthma
Minimal (ideally no) chronic symptoms
Minimal (infrequent) exacerbations
No emergency visits
Minimal (ideally no) need for “as needed” use of
β2-agonist
No limitations on activities, including exercise
PEF circadian variation of less than 20 percent
(Near) normal PEF
Minimal (or no) adverse effects from medicine
Six-Part Asthma Management
Program
.
The most effective management is to
prevent airway inflammation by
eliminating the causal factors
Asthma can be effectively controlled in
most patients, although it can not be
cured
The major factors contributing to asthma
morbidity and mortality are underdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment
Six-Part Asthma Management
Program
Any asthma more severe than
intermittent asthma is more effectively
controlled by treatment to suppress and
reverse airway inflammation than by
treatment only of acute
bronchoconstriction and symptoms
Six-part Asthma Management Program
Part 1: Educate Patients to
Develop a Partnership
Patient education involves a partnership
between the patient and health care
professional(s) with frequent revision and
reinforcement
Aim is guided self-management – giving
patients the ability to control their asthma
Interventions, including use of written
action plans, have been shown to reduce
morbidity in both children and adults
Six-part Asthma Management Program
Part 1: Educate Patients to
Develop a Partnership
Guidelines on asthma management
should be available but adapted and
adopted for local use by local asthma
planning teams
Clear communication between health
care professionals and asthma patients
is key to enhancing compliance
Six-part Asthma Management Program
Part 1: Educate Patients to
Develop a Partnership
Educate continually
Include the family
Provide information about asthma
Provide training on self-management skills
Emphasize a partnership among health
care providers, the patient, and the patient’s
family
Six-part Asthma Management Program
Factors Associated with
Non-Compliance in Asthma Care
Medication Usage
Patient/Physician
Misunderstanding/lack of
information
Difficulties associated
with inhalers
Complicated regimens
Underestimation of severity
Fears about, or actual
side effects
Attitudes toward ill health
Cultural factors
Poor communication
Cost
Six-part Asthma Management Program
Part 2: Assess and Monitor Asthma Severity
with Symptom Reports and Measures of Lung
Function
Symptom
reports
Use of reliever medication
Nighttime symptoms
Activity limitations
Spirometry
for initial assessment. Peak Expiratory Flow for
follow-up:
Assess severity
Assess response to therapy
PEF
monitoring at home
Important for those with poor perception of symptoms
Daily measurement recorded in a diary
Assesses the severity and predicts worsening
Guides the use of a zone system for asthma self-management
Arterial
blood gas for severe exacerbations
Typical Spirometric (FEV1)
Tracings
Volume
FEV1
Normal Subject
Asthmatic (After Bronchodilator)
Asthmatic (Before Bronchodilator)
1
2
3
4
Time (sec)
5
Note: Each FEV1 curve represents the highest of three repeat measurements
A Simple Index of PEF Variation
Highest PEF (670)
PEF (L/min)
800
700
600
500
Morning PEF
Evening PEF
Lowest morning PEF (570)
400
300
0
7
14
Days
Minimum morning PEF ( % recent best): 570/670 = 85%
(From Reddel, H.K. et al. 1995)
Six-part Asthma Management Program
Part 3: Avoid Exposure to Risk
Factors
Methods to prevent onset of asthma are
not yet available but this remains an
important goal
Measures to reduce exposure to causes
of asthma exacerbations (e.g. allergens,
pollutants, foods and medications)
should be implemented whenever
possible
Six-part Asthma Management Program
Part 4: Establish Medication Plans for
Long-Term Asthma Management in
Infants and Children
At present, inhaled glucocorticosteroids
are the most effective controller
medications and are recommended for
persistent asthma at any step of severity
Long-term treatment with inhaled
glucocorticosteroids markedly reduces the
frequency and severity of exacerbations
Six-part Asthma Management Program
Part 3: Avoid Exposure to Risk
Factors
Reduce exposure to indoor allergens
Avoid tobacco smoke
Avoid vehicle emission
Identify irritants in the workplace
Explore role of infections on asthma
development, especially in children and
young infants
Six-part Asthma Management Program
Part 4: Establish Medication Plans for
Long-Term Asthma Management
A stepwise approach to pharmacological
therapy is recommended
The aim is to accomplish the goals of
therapy with the least possible medication
Although in many countries traditional
methods of healing are used, their efficacy
has not yet been established and their use
can therefore not be recommended
Part 4: Long-term Asthma Management
Stepwise Approach to Asthma Therapy
The choice of treatment should be guided by:
Severity of the patient’s asthma
Patient’s current treatment
Pharmacological properties and availability of
the various forms of asthma treatment
Economic considerations
Cultural preferences and differing health care
systems need to be considered.
Part 4: Long-term Asthma Management
Pharmacologic Therapy
Controller Medications:
Inhaled glucocorticosteroids
Systemic glucocorticosteroids
Cromones
Methylxanthines
Long-acting inhaled β2-agonists
Long-acting oral β2-agonists
Leukotriene modifiers
Part 4: Long-term Asthma Management
Pharmacologic Therapy
Reliever Medications:
Rapid-acting inhaled β2-agonists
Systemic glucocorticosteroids
Anticholinergics
Methylxanthines
Short-acting oral β2-agonists
Part 4: Long-term Asthma Management
Stepwise Approach to Asthma
Therapy - Adults
Outcome: Best
Possible Results
Outcome: Asthma Control
Controller:
Controller:
Controller:
None
Controller:
Daily inhaled
corticosteroid
Daily inhaled
corticosteroid
Daily longacting inhaled
β2-agonist
Daily inhaled
corticosteroid
Daily long –
acting inhaled
β2-agonist
plus (if needed)
-Theophylline-SR
-Leukotriene
-Long-acting inhaled
β2- agonist
-Oral corticosteroid
When
asthma is
controlled,
reduce
therapy
Monitor
Reliever: Rapid-acting inhaled β2-agonist prn
STEP 1:
Intermittent
STEP 2:
Mild Persistent
STEP 3:
Moderate
Persistent
STEP 4:
Severe
Persistent
STEP Down
Alternative controller and reliever medications may be considered (see text).
Recommended Asthma Medications
Step 1: Adults
Severity
Daily Controller
Medications
Step 1:
• None
Intermittent
Other Options (in order
of cost)
• None
Reliever Medication: Rapid-acting inhaled β2- agonist prn, not more
than 3-4 times a day. Once control is achieved and maintained for at
least 3 months, gradual reduction of therapy should be tried.
Recommended Asthma Medications
Step 2: Adults
Severity
Daily Controller
Medications
Other Options (in order
of cost)
Step 2:
Mild
Persistent
• Inhaled
glucocorticosteroid
(< 500 μg BDP or
equivalent)
• Sustained-release
theophylline, or
• Cromone, or
• Leukotriene modifier
Reliever Medication: Rapid-acting inhaled β2- agonist prn, not more
than 3-4 times a day. Once control is achieved and maintained for at
least 3 months, gradual reduction of therapy should be tried.
Recommended Asthma Medications
Step 3: Adults
Severity
Daily Controller
Medications
Other Options (in order of cost)
Step 3:
Moderate
persistent
• Inhaled
glucocorticosteroid
(200 – 1000 μg BDP or
equivalent)
plus long-acting inhaled
β2- agonist
• Inhaled glucocorticosteroid (500 – 1000
μg BDP or equivalent) plus sustainedrelease theophylline, or
• Inhaled glucocorticosteroid (500 – 1000
μg BDP or equivalent) plus long-acting
inhaled β2- agonist, or
• Inhaled glucocorticosteroid at higher
doses (> 1000 μg BDP or equivalent), or
• Inhaled glucocorticosteroid (500 –
1000 μg BDP or equivalent) plus
leukotriene modifier
Reliever Medication: Rapid-acting inhaled β2- agonist prn, not more
than 3-4 times a day. Once control is achieved and maintained for at
least 3 months, gradual reduction of therapy should be tried.
Recommended Asthma Medications
Step 4: Adults
Severity
Daily Controller Medications
Step 4
Severe
persistent
• Inhaled glucocorticosteroid
( > 1000 μg BDP or equivalent)
plus long-acting inhaled β2- agonist
• plus one or more of the following,
if needed:
- Sustained-release theophylline
- Leukotriene modifier
- Long-acting inhaled β2- agonist
- Oral glucocorticosteroid
Other Options
Reliever Medication: Rapid-acting inhaled β2- agonist prn, not more
than 3-4 times a day. Once control is achieved and maintained for at
least 3 months, gradual reduction of therapy should be tried.
Part 4: Long-term Asthma Management
Allergen-specific Immunotherapy
Greatest benefit of specific immunotherapy using
allergen extracts has been obtained in the treatment of
allergic rhinitis
A number of questions must be addressed regarding the
role of specific immunotherapy in asthma therapy
Specific immunotherapy should be considered only after
strict environmental avoidance and pharmacologic
intervention, including inhaled glucocorticosteroids, have
failed to control asthma
Perform only by trained physician
Six-part Asthma Management Program
Part 4: Establish Medication Plans for
Long-Term Asthma Management in
Infants and Children
Childhood and adult asthma share the
same underlying mechanisms.
However, because of processes of
growth and development, effects of
asthma treatments in children differ
from those in adults.
Six-part Asthma Management Program
Part 4: Establish Medication Plans for
Long-Term Asthma Management in
Infants and Children
Many asthma medications (e.g.
glucocorticosteroids, β2- agonists,
theophylline) are metabolized faster in
children than in adults, and younger
children tend to metabolize medications
faster than older children
Six-part Asthma Management Program
Part 4: Establish Medication Plans for
Long-Term Asthma Management in
Infants and Children
Long-term treatment with inhaled
glucocorticosteroids has not been shown
to be associated with any increase in
osteoporosis or bone fracture
Studies including a total of over 3,500
children treated for periods of 1 – 13 years
have found no sustained adverse effect of
inhaled glucocorticosteroids on growth
Six-part Asthma Management Program
Part 4: Establish Medication Plans for
Long-Term Asthma Management in
Infants and Children
Rapid-acting inhaled β2- agonists are
the most effective reliever therapy for
children
These medications are the most
effective bronchodilators available and
are the treatment of choice for acute
asthma symptoms
Recommended Asthma Medications
Step 1: Children
Severity
Daily Controller
Medications
Step 1:
• None
Intermittent
Other Options (in order
of cost)
• None
Reliever Medication: Rapid-acting inhaled β2- agonist prn, not more
than 3-4 times a day. Once control is achieved and maintained for at
least 3 months, gradual reduction of therapy should be tried.
Recommended Asthma Medications
Step 2: Children
Severity
Daily Controller
Medications
Other Options (in order
of cost)
Step 2:
Mild
Persistent
• Inhaled
glucocorticosteroid
(100 – 400 μg
budesonide or
equivalent)
• Sustained-release
theophylline, or
• Cromone, or
• Leukotriene modifier
Reliever Medication: Rapid-acting inhaled β2- agonist prn, not more
than 3-4 times a day. Once control is achieved and maintained for at
least 3 months, gradual reduction of therapy should be tried.
Recommended Asthma Medications
Step 3: Children
Severity
Daily Controller Medications Other Options (in order of cost)
Step 3:
Moderate
persistent
• Inhaled glucocorticosteroid • Inhaled glucocorticosteroid (< 800 μg
( 400 – 800 μg budesonide budesonide or equivalent) plus
sustained-release theophylline, or
or equivalent)
• Inhaled glucocorticosteroid (< 800 μg
budesonide or equivalent) plus longacting inhaled β2- agonist, or
• Inhaled glucocorticosteroid at higher
doses (> 800 μg budesonide or
equivalent), or
• Inhaled glucocorticosteroid (< 800 μg
budesonide or equivalent) plus
leukotriene modifier
Reliever Medication: Rapid-acting inhaled β2- agonist prn, not more
than 3-4 times a day. Once control is achieved and maintained for at
least 3 months, gradual reduction of therapy should be tried.
Recommended Asthma Medications
Step 4: Children
Severity
Daily Controller Medications
Step 4
Severe
persistent
• Inhaled glucocorticosteroid
( > 800 μg budesonide or
equivalent)
• plus one or more of the following,
if needed:
- Sustained-release theophylline
- Leukotriene modifier
- Long-acting inhaled β2- agonist
- Oral glucocorticosteroid
Other Options
Reliever Medication: Rapid-acting inhaled β2- agonist prn, not more
than 3-4 times a day. Once control is achieved and maintained for at
least 3 months, gradual reduction of therapy should be tried.
Six-part Asthma Management Program
Part 5: Establish Plans for
Managing Exacerbations
Treatment of exacerbations depends on:
The patient
Experience of the health care professional
Therapies that are the most effective for
the particular patient
Availability of medications
Emergency facilities
Six-part Asthma Management Program
Part 5: Establish Plans for
Managing Exacerbations
Primary therapies for exacerbations:
• Repetitive administration of rapid-acting
inhaled β2-agonist
• Early introduction of systemic
glucocorticosteroids
• Oxygen supplementation
Closely monitor response to treatment
with serial measures of lung function
Six-part Asthma Management Program
Part 5: Managing Severe Asthma
Exacerbations
Severe exacerbations are lifethreatening medical emergencies
Care must be expeditious and treatment
is often most safely undertaken in a
hospital or hospital-based emergency
department
Emergency Department Management
Acute Asthma
Initial Assessment
History, Physical Examination, PEF or FEV1
Initial Therapy
Bronchodilators; O2 if needed
Good Response
Observe for at
least 1 hour
If Stable,
Discharge to
Home
Incomplete/Poor Response
Respiratory Failure
Add Systemic Glucocorticosteroids
Good Response
Poor Response
Discharge
Admit to Hospital
Admit to ICU
Six-part Asthma Management Program
Part 6: Provide Regular
Follow-up Care
Continual monitoring is essential to assure that
therapeutic goals are met. Frequent follow-up visits
are necessary to review:
Home PEF and symptom records
Techniques in use of medications
Risk factors and their control
Once asthma control is established, follow-up
visits should be scheduled (at 1 to 6 month intervals
as appropriate)
Six-part Asthma Management Program
Special Considerations
Special considerations are required to
manage asthma in relation to:
Pregnancy
Surgery
Physical activity
Rhinitis, sinusitis, and nasal polyps
Occupational asthma
Respiratory infections
Gastroesophageal reflux
Aspirin-induced asthma
Six-part Asthma Management
Program: Summary
Asthma can be effectively controlled, although it
cannot be cured
Effective asthma management programs include
education, objective measures of lung function,
environmental control, and pharmacologic therapy
A stepwise approach to pharmacologic therapy is
recommended. The aim is to accomplish the
goals of therapy with the least possible medication
Six-part Asthma Management
Program: Summary (continued)
Anything more than mild, occasional asthma is
more effectively controlled by suppressing
inflammation than by only treating acute
bronchospasm
The availability of varying forms of treatment,
cultural preferences, and differing health care
systems need to be considered
http://www.ginasthma.com
Optional Therapy
Slides
Part 4: Long-term Asthma Management
Stepwise Approach to Asthma
Therapy - Adults
Outcome: Best
Possible Results
Outcome: Asthma Control
Controller:
Controller:
Controller:
None
Controller:
Daily inhaled
corticosteroid
Daily inhaled
corticosteroid
Daily longacting inhaled
β2-agonist
Daily inhaled
corticosteroid
Daily long –
acting inhaled
β2-agonist
plus(if needed)
-Theophylline-SR
-Leukotriene
-Long-acting inhaled
β2- agonist
-Oral corticosteroid
When
asthma is
controlled,
reduce
therapy
Monitor
Reliever: Rapid-acting inhaled β2-agonist prn
STEP 1:
Intermittent
STEP 2:
Mild Persistent
STEP 3:
Moderate
Persistent
STEP 4:
Severe
Persistent
STEP Down
Alternative controller and reliever medications may be considered (see text).
Stepwise Approach to Asthma Therapy: Adults
Step 1: Intermittent Asthma
Daily Controller
Medications
None required
Reliever
Medications
Rapid-acting inhaled 2-agonist
for symptoms (but < once a week)
Rapid-acting inhaled 2-agonist,
cromone, or leukotriene modifier
before exercise or exposure to
allergen
Continuously review medication technique, compliance and environmental control
Review treatment every three months.
Step up if control is not achieved; step down if control is sustained for at least 3 months
Preferred treatments are in bold print
Stepwise Approach to Asthma Therapy: Adults
Step 2: Mild Persistent Asthma
Daily Controller
Medications
Reliever
Medications
Inhaled glucocorticosteroid
(< 500 μg BDP or equivalent)
Rapid-acting inhaled 2-agonist
for symptoms (but < 3-4 times/day)
Other options (order by cost):
sustained-release theophylline, or
Cromone, or
leukotriene modifier
Other options:
inhaled anticholinergic, or
short-acting oral 2-agonist, or
short-acting theophylline
Continuously review medication technique, compliance and environmental control.
Review treatment every three months
Step up if control is not achieved; Step down if control is sustained for at least 3 months
Preferred treatments are in bold print
Stepwise Approach to Asthma Therapy: Adults
Step 3: Moderate Persistent Asthma
Daily Controller
Medications
Reliever
Medications
Inhaled glucocorticosteroid, (200 – 1000 μg BDP or Rapid-acting inhaled
equivalent) plus long-acting inhaled β2agonist 2-agonist for symptoms
Other options (order by cost):
(but < 3 - 4 times/day)
Inhaled glucocorticosteroid (500 – 1000 μg BDP
equivalent) plus sustained-release theophylline, or
Other options:
Inhaled glucocorticosteroid (500 – 1000 μg BDP
inhaled anticholinergic or
equivalent) plus long-acting inhaled β2- agonist, or
short-acting oral
inhaled glucocorticosteroid at higher doses
2-agonist or
(> 1000 μg BDP equivalent), or
short-acting theophylline
Inhaled glucocorticosteroid (500 – 1000 μg BDP
equivalent) plus leukotriene modifier
Continuously review medication technique, compliance and environmental control.
Review treatment every three months.
Step up if control is not achieved; Step down if control is sustained for at least 3 months.
Preferred treatments are in bold print.
Stepwise Approach to Asthma Therapy: Adults
Step 4: Severe Persistent Asthma
Daily Controller
Medications
Reliever
Medications
Inhaled glucocorticosteroid, (> 1000 μg
BDP or equivalent) plus long-acting
inhaled β2agonist
Rapid-acting inhaled
2-agonist for symptoms
(but < 3-4 times/day)
plus one or more of the following, if
needed (order by cost):
sustained-release theophylline, or
leukotriene modifier or
oral glucocorticosteroid
Other options:
inhaled anticholinergic or
short-acting oral
2-agonist or
short-acting theophylline
Continuously review medication technique, compliance and environmental control.
Review treatment every three months.
Step up if control is not achieved; Step down if control is sustained for at least 3 months.
Preferred treatments are in bold print.