The Asthma Controller Step-down Yardstick

Bradley E. Chipps, Leonard B. Bacharier, Kevin R. Murphy, David Lang, Judith R. Farrar, Matthew Rank, John Oppenheimer, Robert S. Zeiger

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

Asthma guidelines recommend a control-based approach to disease management in which the assessment of impairment and risk is linked to step-based therapy. Using this model, controller treatment is adjusted—upward or downward—according to a patient's level of asthma control over time. Strategies for stepping up controller therapy are well described, and the adult and pediatric Asthma Yardsticks provide operational recommendations based on patient profiles. Strategies for stepping down controller treatment are less clear, although stepping down to the minimum effective therapy is important and should be considered when a patient's asthma has been well controlled for an adequate period as defined by risk and impairment. This Yardstick presents recommendations for when and how to step down asthma controller therapy according to guideline-defined control levels. The objective is to provide clinicians who treat patients with asthma with a practical and clinically relevant framework for implementing a step-down in controller therapy.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)241-262.e4
JournalAnnals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
Volume122
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2019

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