The global initiative for asthma 2019 recommendation for mild asthma – a critique
Date
2020-03-05
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
AOSIS
Abstract
Recognising that mild asthmatics are at risk of exacerbations and mortality, the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) issued an updated strategy in 2019. This was premised on two studies culminating in their recommendation that mild asthma should be treated by using a combination of a rapid and long-acting beta 2 agonist and an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) administered as required. Their rationale is, however, debatable, as the studies actually showed that regular daily ICS administration was more effective for a number of asthma control endpoints. A patient-driven treatment strategy is also questionable, as there are a number of concerns about behaviour of patients suffering from asthma and perception of airway narrowing that should trigger medication intake but in fact does not do so. These deficiencies also influence a similar maintenance and reliever treatment (MART) approach that would be suboptimal. Intermittent ICS regimens are also inferior when compared to regular treatment. Not all asthmatics respond to the same dose of ICS. The best way to manage asthma is by adopting a step-up ICS approach, to encompass varying disease severity, with a long-acting beta agonist taken on a daily basis, ideally in a single combination inhaler.
Description
CITATION: Irusen, E. M. 2020. The global initiative for asthma 2019 recommendation for mild asthma – a critique. South African Family Practice, 62(1):a5104, doi:10.4102/safp.v62i1.5104.
The original publication is available at http://www.safpj.co.za
Publication of this article was funded by the Stellenbosch University Open Access Fund.
The original publication is available at http://www.safpj.co.za
Publication of this article was funded by the Stellenbosch University Open Access Fund.
Keywords
Mild asthma, Asthmatics -- Care, Adrenocorticoids -- Inhalers
Citation
Irusen, E. M. 2020. The global initiative for asthma 2019 recommendation for mild asthma – a critique. South African Family Practice, 62(1):a5104, doi:10.4102/safp.v62i1.5104