Europe

British guideline on the management of asthma: a national clinical guideline

Published by:	Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network; British Thoracic Society
Last published:	2012

Summary

Guideline provides evidence-based recommendations on the management of asthma.

Corticosteroids for the treatment of chronic asthma in adults and in children aged 12 years and over

Published by:	National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
Last published:	2008

Summary

Provides recommendations on appropriate choice of inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) in adults and children over 12 years with chronic asthma. The least costly ICS that is suitable for the individual and within the correct indication is recommended. For patients requiring treatment with both an ICS and a long-acting beta2 agonist (LABA), inhalers are discussed. The choice of combination or individual inhalers should be made on an individual patient basis. If a combination inhaler is used, the least costly device should be chosen.

Omalizumab for severe persistent allergic asthma

Published by:	National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
Last published:	2007

A systematic review to examine the impact of psycho-educational interventions on health outcomes and costs in adults and children with difficult asthma

Published by:	Health Technology Assessment NHS R&D HTA Programme
Last published:	2005

International

Global strategy for asthma management and prevention

Published by:	Global Initiative for Asthma
Last published:	2012

Summary

Treatment should be adjusted in a continuous, stepwise manner driven by the patient’s asthma control status. If symptom control is not achieved on the current treatment regimen, treatment should be ‘stepped up’ until control is achieved. When control is achieved for at least 3 months, treatment can be ‘stepped down.’ There are 5 steps in the treatment regimen. For steps 2 to 5, a variety of controller medications are available. Reliever medication should be provided for quick relief of symptoms at each step on an ‘as needed’ basis. Rapid-acting beta-2 agonists are the medication of choice for relief of bronchoconstriction and the pretreatment of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction. Increased use of reliever medication (especially daily use) is a warning of asthma control deterioration and indicates the need to re-assess treatment. Ongoing monitoring is essential to maintain control of symptoms. Reducing patient exposure to risk factors (e.g., allergens, irritants) is an important component of prevention. Clinical control of asthma is defined as no (i.e., ≤2/week) daytime symptoms; no limitations of daily activities including exercise; no nocturnal symptoms or awakening; no (i.e., ≤2/week) need for reliever treatment; normal or near-normal lung function; and no exacerbations.

An official American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society statement: asthma control and exacerbations: standardizing endpoints for clinical asthma trials and clinical practice

Published by:	American Thoracic Society; European Respiratory Society
Last published:	2009

North America

Canadian Thoracic Society 2012 guideline update: diagnosis and management of asthma in preschoolers, children and adults

Published by:	Canadian Thoracic Society
Last published:	2012

Summary

Evidence-based guidelines including recommendations for the management of asthma in preschoolers, children, and adults.

Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of asthma: expert panel report 3

Published by:	National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Last published:	2007

Summary

Descriptive and systematic explanation of evidence-based treatments of asthma, depending on disease type and severity.

Diagnosis and management of work-related asthma

Published by:	American College of Chest Physicians
Last published:	2008

Consultation and referral guidelines citing the evidence: how the allergist-immunologist can help

Published by:	American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
Last published:	2006

Chronic cough due to asthma: ACCP evidence-based clinical practice guidelines

Published by:	American College of Chest Physicians
Last published:	2006

Device selection and outcomes of aerosol therapy: evidence-based guidelines: American College of Chest Physicians/American College of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology

Published by:	American College of Chest Physicians
Last published:	2005

Attaining optimal asthma control: a practice parameter

Published by:	Joint Council of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
Last published:	2005