Asthma Management with ICS for Adults and Adolescents

Questions and Answers

What is the primary purpose of using inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) in individuals with persistent asthma?

To control symptoms and reduce the risk of severe exacerbations (correct)

To treat acute asthma attacks as they occur

To eliminate asthma symptoms entirely

To substitute all other asthma medications

In the asthma management plan, what is the significance of assessing and adjusting treatment for individual patient needs?

It focuses solely on medication adherence

It eliminates the need for patient education

It ensures treatment aligns with the patient's personal goals and preferences (correct)

It is done to create uniform treatment for all patients

Which of the following is NOT a component of asthma management as indicated in the provided content?

Reviewing patient satisfaction with treatment

Assessing comorbidities and modifiable risk factors

Immediate use of short-acting bronchodilators without a plan (correct)

Education and skills training

Why is it important to confirm the diagnosis of asthma in adolescents and adults before starting treatment?

To ensure that the treatment is relevant to the patient's condition Signup and view all the answers

What role do non-pharmacological strategies play in asthma management?

They serve as supplementary methods to enhance patient outcomes Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary benefit of using ICS-formoterol as a reliever?

Reduces the risk of exacerbations Signup and view all the answers

Which treatment option should be considered in step 5 for severe asthma?

Add-on LAMA therapy Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following medications is indicated for add-on therapy in asthma management?

Long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMAs) Signup and view all the answers

Which medication category is typically combined with ICS-formoterol for enhanced treatment efficacy?

Anti-IL4R agents Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of education and skills training in asthma management according to the GINA guidelines?

To help patients understand their treatment options Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Inhaled Corticosteroids (ICS) in Asthma Management

Persistent asthma in adults and adolescents should be treated with ICS to control symptoms and reduce severe exacerbation risks.
Confirmation of asthma diagnosis is essential, along with assessment of symptom control and modification of risk factors.
Tailor asthma management to individual patient needs, considering comorbidities and patient preferences.

Asthma Treatment Steps

Step 1: Low-dose ICS for maintenance; SABA used as needed.
Step 2: Continue low-dose ICS during SABA use, or consider daily LTRA (Leukotriene Receptor Antagonists).
Step 3: Medium-dose ICS with potential addition of LABA (Long-Acting Beta-Agonist).
Step 4: High-dose ICS with additional therapies like LAMA (Long-Acting Muscarinic Antagonist) or SLIT (Sublingual Immunotherapy) if needed.
Step 5: For severe cases, consider add-on therapies such as anti-IgE or anti-IL5 agents.

Reliever Management

As-needed low-dose ICS-formoterol is recommended as a reliever, more effective than SABA alone.
Brief intermittent use of short-acting beta2-agonists is validated but less preferred in persistent asthma management.

Acute Asthma Considerations

Severe acute asthma can limit patient communication; watch for mental status changes indicating respiratory failure.
Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) classification:
- Mild: PEF > 70% of personal best
- Moderate: PEF 40%-69% of personal best
- Severe: PEF < 40% of personal best

Acute Asthma Treatment Protocol

Administer oxygen therapy.
Use SABA treatments, allowing up to two doses 20 minutes apart (2-4 puffs) for immediate relief.
Medicate with systemic corticosteroids (oral) until PEF reaches at least 70% or for a duration of 3-10 days.
Reserve antibiotics for suspected bacterial infections, monitoring PEF and oxygen saturation closely.

Drugs Used in Asthma Management

β2-Adrenergic Agonists: Primarily for bronchodilation via inhalation, rapid onset with minimal side effects. Oral/injectable forms available but with delayed action and more side effects (e.g., tachycardia).
SABA: Ideal for acute asthma reversal. Prednisolone typically prescribed at 1-2 mg/kg.
Anticholinergics: Useful against cholinergic-mediated bronchoconstriction, e.g., Ipratropium (onset 15 min, duration 4-8 hours).
Leukotriene Modifiers: Add-on therapy for long-term control; less effective than ICS/LABA combo. Common options include Montelukast and Zafirlukast with specific dosing instructions.
Omalizumab: Anti-IgE antibody for allergic asthma poorly controlled by ICS; given every 2-4 weeks based on weight and IgE levels. Required observation for anaphylaxis after administration.

Monitoring and Education

Continuous education on inhaler techniques and adherence to prescribed therapies is crucial.
Regular review of patient's symptoms, medication side effects, lung function, and satisfaction is necessary for optimal management.

Description

This quiz focuses on the role of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) in the treatment of persistent asthma for adults and adolescents. It highlights the importance of diagnosis confirmation and outlines how ICS can help control symptoms and prevent severe exacerbations. Test your knowledge on asthma management guidelines and best practices.