Severe Asthma in Primary Care: Identification and Management

Abstract

Most patients with asthma are managed by primary care providers. Severe asthma is associated with substantial morbidity and health care resource use, and long-term sequelae of severe asthma include airway remodeling and a greater risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. These consequences highlight the importance of early identification and improved management of patients with severe asthma. Although treatment guidelines can be confusing and it can be difficult to keep abreast of updates, routine assessments of lung function, frequency and severity of exacerbations, symptom control, and medication adherence in the primary care setting provide the necessary information for identifying severe asthma and determining appropriate management strategies. An increased understanding of asthma pathophysiology and its relationship to disease activity has identified therapeutic targets and associated biomarkers. Biologic therapies directed at these targets offer individualized targeted treatment of severe asthma. We review evidence-based guidelines for identification and management of severe asthma, clarify the relationship of asthma control and asthma severity, and provide an overview of new biologic therapies offering additional treatment options for patients with severe asthma.

Keywords: Asthma; Biologic therapy; Biomarkers; Endotypes; Phenotypes; Severe; Uncontrolled.