Asthma Control

• Assess asthma control at all follow-up visits. The criteria for asthma control¹ follows:

1. 1. Absence of hospitalization

   2. Infrequent urgent care requirements

   3. Infrequent interference with sleep

   4. Infrequent interference with activity

   5. Infrequent use of inhaled β₂-agonists for acute symptoms

   6. Infrequent use of oral corticosteroids

   7. Normal or near normal pulmonary function as measured with spirometry

   8. Infrequent school absences because of asthma

• Identify reasons for lack of asthma control such as poor inhaler technique, exposure to aeroallergens, tobacco smoke, indoor or outdoor pollutants and irritants, nonadherence to medication regimen, respiratory infections, barriers due to social drivers of health, etc.

• Use the age-appropriate GINA 2023 and NAEPP 2020 stepwise tables and a shared decision-making approach with the patient/family to maintain or adjust therapy based on level of asthma control). See:

• GINA 2023, Main Treatment figures²:

  • Box 3-12, Personalized management for adults and adolescents to control symptoms and minimize future risk 
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  • Box 3-13, Personalized management for children ages 6–11 years to control symptoms and minimize future risk
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  • Box 6-6, Personalized management of asthma in children 5 years and younger (stepwise treatment steps)
• NAEPP 2020, Stepwise Approach for Management of Asthma in Individuals by age: 0–4 years (Figure 1.b), 5–11 years (Figure 1.c), and ≥12 years (Figure 1.d)³