Question
How is asthma severity classified, and how does it influence treatment approaches?
Answer
Asthma severity is defined by the intrinsic intensity of the disease and reflects the underlying level of inflammation and symptoms, even in the absence of treatment. National guidelines such as EPR-3 and GINA classify asthma severity into four categories: intermittent, mild persistent, moderate persistent, and severe persistent. These classifications are based on frequency and intensity of symptoms, lung function, and history of exacerbations.
For example, severe asthma may require year-round treatment with high-dose inhaled corticosteroids and additional controller medications. In contrast, intermittent asthma might only necessitate occasional use of short-acting bronchodilators. Properly assessing severity ensures that patients receive an appropriate medication regimen tailored to their condition, reducing the risk of uncontrolled symptoms and complications. Recognizing the level of severity at diagnosis or during follow-up helps clinicians design individualized and effective asthma management strategies.
This Ask the Expert is an edited excerpt from the course, Objective Measures of Asthma, presented by Kevin Collins, PhD, RRT, RPFT, AE-C.
