Related Experiment Videos
Approach to Patients with Severe Asthma: a Consensus Statement from the Respiratory Care Experts' Input Forum
Khalil Ansarin1, Davood Attaran2, Hamidreza Jamaati3
1Tuberculosis and Lung Disease Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
Tanaffos
|November 4, 2015
Summary
Managing severe asthma requires a systematic approach to diagnosis and treatment. This consensus provides expert guidance on phenotyping and utilizing advanced therapies for difficult-to-control asthma.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Allergy and Immunology
- Clinical Practice Guidelines
Background:
- Severe, difficult-to-control asthma presents unmet clinical needs in assessment, diagnosis, and management.
- Current approaches to determining asthma severity, comorbidities, and optimal treatment remain controversial.
- A consensus was developed by Iranian respiratory care experts to address these challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a locally-adapted consensus for the evaluation and treatment of severe asthma in adults.
- To provide a systematic strategy for diagnosing and managing severe asthma.
- To clarify controversial issues in severe asthma assessment and treatment.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature review was conducted.
- An expert panel (Respiratory Care-Experts Input Forum) discussed and appraised existing guidelines using the AGREE-II protocol.
- Consensus was reached through discussions during and after the forum.
Main Results:
- Severe asthma is recognized as a heterogeneous condition with diverse phenotypes.
- Key issues discussed include phenotyping, biomarkers (blood/sputum eosinophils, exhaled nitric oxide), and various advanced therapies (anti-IgE, methotrexate, etc.).
- A systematic approach for diagnosis, compliance evaluation, comorbidity identification, and phenotyping for optimized treatment is recommended.
Conclusions:
- A systematic approach is crucial for proper diagnosis and management of severe asthma.
- Phenotyping is essential for tailoring treatment strategies.
- While following Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guidelines, the cost-benefit and safety of biological therapies require careful consideration.