Asthma severity
Classify asthma severity at the initial visit when asthma is diagnosed. The severity of asthma can be classified on the basis of:

• Interference with normal activities
• Interference with sleep from repeated nocturnal awakening
• Frequency of requirements for intervention measures such as increased use of inhaled bronchodilators, and oral corticosteroids
• Urgent care visits or hospitalization.
• Lung function

Use the age-appropriate treatment steps presented in the stepwise approach for initial controller treatment options. See:

• GINA 2022 guidelines, Initial treatment choices by age1
  • Box 3-4-A, 3-4Bi, and 3-4-Bii for presenting symptoms and initial treatment options for adults and adolescents
  • Box 3-4C and 3-4Di and 3-4 Dii for presenting symptoms and initial treatment options in children ages 6-11 years
  • Box 6-5, Personalized management of asthma in children 5 years and younger (stepwise treatment steps)
• NAEPP 2020 guidelines, Stepwise Approach for Management of Asthma in Individuals by age 0-4, 5-11, and ≥12: Figures 1.b, 1.c and 1.d LINKS respectively2

References:

• ¹Global Initiative for Asthma. Global Strategy for Asthma Management and Prevention, 2022. Available from: https://www.ginasthma.org/.
• ²NAEPP 2020 Focused Updates to the Asthma Management Guidelines: A Report from the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program Coordinating Committee Expert Panel Working Group