ePulmonology Review

Clinical Management Considerations in Mild Asthma

In this issue:

Mild asthma. For patients showing wheezing and shortness of breath on moderate exertion, it’s one of the most common diagnoses, even when breath sounds are clear and pulmonary function testing is normal. 

What makes mild asthma “mild”? The key guidelines base the stage of a patient’s asthma on how difficult it is to treat. Does that mean the frequency of symptom occurrence? How often a rescue inhaler needs to be used? The frequency and severity of pulmonary exacerbations? 

How should mild asthma be treated? What are the risks and benefits of short-acting beta agonists versus long-acting beta agonists versus inhaled corticosteroids? Which combinations might be appropriate for which patients?

Join us in this issue of ePulmonology Review, as Dr. Fawzy from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine’s Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care discusses these and other issues important to providing the best care for patients with mild asthma.

Learning objectives:

• Discuss the potential consequences of undertreatment of asthma that is classified as “mild” and the guideline-recommended treatment strategies.

• Explain the key considerations when choosing between PRN budesonide-formoterol and maintenance inhaled corticosteroid therapy in reducing the risk of severe asthma exacerbations.