Every time an asthma patient sees a doctor, his asthma
should be assessed to determine if it's being properly controlled,
says a new practice parameter in the November issue of the
Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
The parameter authors noted that asthma symptoms change
over time and need to be constantly monitored by a doctor
or other health-care professional to ensure that a patient's
asthma is under control.
"Asthma is a chronic disease and needs to be continually
reassessed. Every doctor or clinic visit should consist
of a detailed assessment to determine if the patient's asthma
is or is not under control. People with asthma should not
be satisfied with less than well controlled or completely
controlled asthma," parameter lead author Dr. James T. Li
said in a prepared statement.
"Asthma is not a static disease, and each patient reacts
differently to mediation, their environment, triggers and
changing allergens that affect their asthma symptoms. Assessing
these changes requires strong communication between the
doctor and patient on an ongoing basis to determine whether
changes are needed in medication -- either an increase or
decrease," Li said.
The new practice parameter recommends that:
- Asthma control should be assessed at every clinic or
physician visit.
- Asthma management should be individualized because each
patient reacts differently to medication.
- Asthma control demands a close relationship between
the doctor and patient.
- Asthma-management decisions should be driven by the
level of asthma control. If asthma is completely or well-controlled,
patients may be able to take less medicine. Uncontrolled
asthma may require increased medication and more frequent
visits to the doctor.
The parameter says that an asthma patient should expect
complete or well-controlled asthma. Complete control is
defined as: full activity; no asthma symptoms during the
night or day; no need for "as needed" Albuterol; no missed
school or work; normal lung function.
The parameter was developed by the Joint Task Force on
Practice Parameters for Allergy and Immunology, a coalition
of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
and the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.
According to the groups, asthma affects approximately 20
million Americans and is responsible for nearly 5,000 deaths
a year. In addition, there are almost 2 million asthma-related
visits to the emergency department each year.
- More articles
on Asthma
