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Asthma

Last updated: June 17, 2025

Summarytoggle arrow icon

Asthma is a heterogeneous disease that is characterized by chronic airway inflammation and defined by a history of respiratory symptoms (e.g., wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, cough). Symptom intensity and expiratory flow characteristically vary over time. Airflow limitation may become persistent in later stages. Allergic asthma often commences in childhood and is triggered by allergens such as pollen, dust mites, and certain foods. Nonallergic asthma and adult-onset asthma (which is typically nonallergic) can develop in individuals aged > 40 years. Triggers for asthma generally include cold air, medications (e.g., aspirin), exercise, and viral infections. Clinical features of asthma include dyspnea, wheezing (often end-expiratory), and cough. Symptoms characteristically worsen at night and/or on exposure to triggers. Symptoms and airflow limitation may abate in response to asthma medications or resolve upon removal of the trigger. Diagnosis is supported by variable expiratory airflow on pulmonary function tests (PFTs), e.g., by confirming significant variability in FEV1 or PEF (e.g., after bronchodilator or over time). If lung function testing is not available or is normal in a patient with typical asthma symptoms, elevated fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and/or blood eosinophil count are biomarkers that can be used to support the diagnosis. Additional tests may be performed to identify asthma triggers and comorbidities that increase the risk of acute exacerbations. Treatment regimens are based on the severity of asthma and primarily involve inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), often ICS-formoterol. Systemic glucocorticoids are usually reserved for the treatment of acute asthma exacerbations but may be used in patients with severe asthma. Avoidance of asthma triggers and management of comorbidities (e.g., rhinosinusitis) are important to achieve symptomatic control and minimize the risk of exacerbations. Frequent follow-up is essential for monitoring response to therapy and for stepwise adjustment of treatment regimens.

Acute asthma exacerbations” and “Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction” are discussed separately.

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Definitionstoggle arrow icon

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Epidemiologytoggle arrow icon

  • Prevalence
    • 5–10% of the US population
    • More common in Black than in White individuals
    • For unknown reasons, the prevalence of asthma has been increasing over the past 20 years. [1]
  • Sex: differs depending on age of onset
    • > in patients < 18 years
    • > in patients > 18 years
  • Age of onset

References:[2]

Epidemiological data refers to the US, unless otherwise specified.

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Etiologytoggle arrow icon

  • The exact etiology of asthma remains unknown.
  • Risk factors for asthma include:
Asthma triggers
Allergic asthma
(extrinsic asthma)
Nonallergic asthma
(intrinsic asthma)

Childhood exposure to secondhand smoke increases the risk of developing asthma.

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Pathophysiologytoggle arrow icon

Common underlying pathophysiology

Asthma is an inflammatory disease driven by T-helper type 2 cells (Th2-cell) that manifests in individuals with a genetic predisposition. It consists of the following three pathophysiologic processes:

  1. Bronchial hyperresponsiveness
  2. Bronchial inflammation
  3. Endobronchial obstruction caused by:

Type-specific pathophysiology


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Clinical featurestoggle arrow icon

Characteristic examination findings may not be present between episodes of asthma exacerbation!

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Subtypes and variantstoggle arrow icon

The following is a list of asthma phenotypes and variants.

Asthma-COPD overlap [6]

Definition [6][7][8]

Asthma-COPD overlap is the concurrent presence of features of asthma and COPD. [6][7][8]

Clinical features [6]

  • Chronic presentation, most commonly with intermittent or episodic symptoms
  • Common symptoms include cough, SOB, chest tightness, and wheezing.
  • Symptoms may:
    • Worsen after exposure to common triggers for asthma, e.g., pollen
    • Improve after use of asthma medications
  • May develop in patients with a known history of asthma or COPD

Individuals with asthma-COPD overlap experience more symptoms, more frequent exacerbations, and higher mortality than individuals with either asthma or COPD alone. [6]

Diagnostics [6][7]

Do not wait for diagnostic confirmation before initiating treatment for asthma in patients with suspected asthma-COPD overlap; untreated patients are at risk of life-threatening acute asthma attacks. [6]

Asthma and COPD both cause an obstructive pattern on PFTs. A positive response to post-bronchodilator testing is more common in asthma, but reversibility of bronchoconstriction is not a reliable factor for differentiating between COPD and asthma. [8]

Management [6]

Patients with concurrent asthma and COPD symptoms should never be treated with a LABA or long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) alone; these must always be given in combination with an ICS. [6]

Occupational asthma

Background

  • Definition [11]
    • Occupational asthma: asthma that is induced by specific workplace allergens and/or irritants
    • Work-exacerbated asthma: preexisting asthma that is worsened by specific workplace allergens and/or irritants
  • Epidemiology
  • Subtypes
    • Sensitizer-induced (i.e., IgE-mediated, allergic): caused by exposure to high-molecular-weight (e.g., flour, animal proteins) and low-molecular-weight (e.g., diisocyanates) agents [12][13]
    • Irritant-induced: caused by acute inhalation injury or repeated exposure to the irritant agent (e.g., vapors, gas, fumes)
    • Reactive airways dysfunction syndrome: a type of irritant-induced occupational asthma characterized by the sudden onset of symptoms within 24 hours of exposure to a high concentration of corrosive gas, vapors, or fumes [14]

Clinical features [6]

Diagnostics [6][13][15]

Refer to a specialist for diagnostic confirmation.

Treatment [6]

  • Most important: Eliminate or reduce exposure to the offending agent (e.g., use of respiratory PPE or stop the exposure through work reassignment or removal of the agent).
  • Provide stepwise asthma treatment with ICS-containing therapy.

Complications

  • Persistent bronchial hyperresponsiveness

Prevention

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Diagnosistoggle arrow icon

Diagnosis of acute asthma exacerbation” is covered separately.

Approach [6]

Spirometry is the gold standard test for diagnosing asthma.

Diagnostic confirmation [6]

  • The presence of both of the following confirms the diagnosis (including in patients already receiving ICS): [6]
  • Expiratory airflow limitation (obstructive pattern) on PFTs further supports the diagnosis.
  • Patients with typical symptoms, but non-variable lung function already receiving ICS:
    • Consider diagnostic biomarkers (i.e., blood eosinophil count or FeNO) to support the diagnosis.
    • Asthma diagnosis is confirmed if stepping down treatment results in increased symptoms and excessive variability in FEV1 and/or PEF.
    • Review symptom control and repeat lung function tests in 2–4 weeks. [6]
    • Consider tapering ICS by 25–50% or stopping other maintenance medication (if feasible). [6]

More variation or frequent instances of excessive variation in PFTs increase diagnostic certainty. [6]

Spirometry [6]

Spirometry can be paired with specialized tests in obstructive lung diseases (e.g., bronchodilator responsiveness testing or bronchial challenge tests).

A bronchial challenge test is sensitive but not specific for asthma. This test is most useful for ruling out asthma in patients with inconclusive spirometry results or in those with atypical symptoms and/or response to therapy. [18]

Peak flow meter (PFM) [6]

  • Indication: Spirometry is normal or not available. [6]
  • Technique: Use the same meter each time. [6]
    • Stand up, inhale deeply, close mouth around the PFM mouthpiece, and blow out as forcefully as possible.
    • Note the level recorded on the meter.
    • Repeat three times in succession.
    • Record the highest reading every morning and evening.
  • Supportive findings
    • Excessive variability in expiratory lung function, defined as ≥ 1 of the following:

Additional studies [6]

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Differential diagnosestoggle arrow icon

For more information on the differential diagnoses below, see “Differential diagnosis of chronic cough,” “Differential diagnosis of dyspnea,” “Differential diagnosis of acute asthma,” and “Wheezing in children.”

Consider allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis if respiratory symptoms worsen and/or features of bronchiectasis develop despite asthma treatment.

Comparison of asthma and COPD

Comparison of asthma and COPD

Asthma [6] COPD [8]
Age at diagnosis
  • Typically > 40 years
Etiology
Clinical presentation
  • Chronic productive cough, dyspnea
  • Symptoms are minimal or nonspecific until the disease reaches an advanced stage.
  • Typically progressive over years
Flow volume loop pattern on PFTs
  • Obstructive pattern
Bronchial obstruction
  • Variable
  • Longstanding asthma can lead to persistent airflow limitation with incomplete response to bronchodilators.

First-line medication

Reactive airway disease [22]

Ascription of the label “Reactive airway disease” may prevent a thorough workup of the actual underlying condition and/or lead to the prescription of ineffective medication.

The differential diagnoses listed here are not exhaustive.

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Classificationtoggle arrow icon

GINA classification [6]

  • Uncontrolled asthma (any of the following)
    • Poor symptom control
    • Exacerbations requiring oral corticosteroids ≥ 2 times per year
    • Exacerbations requiring ≥ 1 hospitalization per year
  • Difficult-to-treat asthma
    • Uncontrolled asthma despite the use of medium- or high-dose ICS plus either a second controller (e.g., LABA) or maintenance oral corticosteroid
    • Asthma controlled only by high-dose therapy
    • May result from modifiable factors
  • Severe asthma
    • Difficult-to-treat asthma with either of the following:
      • Uncontrolled symptoms despite optimized high-dose ICS/LABA therapy and management of modifiable contributory factors
      • Worsens when high-dose treatment is reduced
    • Use of this term may guide appropriate referral, further evaluation, and eligibility for advanced treatments (e.g., biologics).
  • Mild or moderate asthma: use of these terms is discouraged; may be misinterpreted as indicating low risk [6]

American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society (ATS/ERS) task force severity classification [3][23][24]

The National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) guideline classifies asthma severity as intermittent or persistent in individuals who are not receiving asthma maintenance therapy. [3]

Classification of asthma severity in individuals ≥ 12 years of age [3]
Severity Impairment over the past 4 weeks Lung function Exacerbation
Intermittent asthma
  • Symptom frequency: ≤ 2 days/week
  • Waking up because of symptoms: ≤ 2 ×/month
  • No limitation of daily activities
  • Use of short-acting beta agonist (SABA) ≤ 2 days/week
  • FEV1 normal between exacerbations
  • FEV1 > 80% of the predicted average value
  • Normal FEV1/FVC
  • ≤ 1 ×/year
Mild persistent asthma
  • Symptom frequency: 3–6 days/week
  • Waking up because of symptoms: 3–4 ×/month
  • Minor limitation of daily activities
  • Use of SABA 3 days/week to 1 ×/day
  • FEV1 ≥ 80% of the predicted average value
  • Normal FEV1/FVC
  • ≥ 2 ×/year
Moderate persistent asthma
  • Symptom frequency: daily
  • Waking up because of symptoms 2–6 ×/week
  • Some limitation of daily activities
  • Use of SABA 7 days/week
  • FEV1 60–79% of the predicted average value
  • FEV1/FVC reduced by 5%
Severe persistent asthma
  • Symptoms throughout the day
  • Waking up because of symptoms: up to 7 ×/week
  • Extreme limitation of daily activities
  • Use of SABA several times a day
  • FEV1 < 60% of the predicted average value
  • FEV1/FVC reduced by ≥ 5%

In individuals who are not receiving asthma maintenance therapy, severity is classified based on impairment over the previous 4 weeks, lung function (e.g., spirometry), and number of exacerbations in the past year. [3]

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Managementtoggle arrow icon

General principles [6][25]

Long-term management of asthma involves a continuous cycle of clinical assessment and adjustment of stepwise asthma treatment.

Stepwise asthma treatment [6][25]

Prescribe asthma relievers and maintenance bronchodilators depending on the severity and previous response to treatment. See “Asthma pharmacotherapy for individuals age 12 years and older.”

  • Before initiating treatment
  • Before stepping up treatment
    • Consider alternative causes for new or persistent symptoms.
    • Assess adherence and review proper inhaler technique.
    • Identify any persistent exposures to asthma triggers.
  • Before stepping down treatment
    • Consider stepping down treatment in patients with good symptom control and stable lung function for ≥ 3 months. [6]
    • Optimize timing.
    • Provide a written asthma action plan and instructions for how and when to restart the previous regimen if symptoms worsen.
    • Schedule a follow-up visit to evaluate progress.

Indications for referral

Refer to an asthma specialist if a patient has risk factors for asthma-related death or experiences any of the following:

  • Frequent exacerbations
  • Treatment side effects
  • Persistent or severe symptoms despite correct use of inhaler and adherence to ICS/LABA
  • Need for advanced therapies, e.g., asthma biologics

Overview of asthma medications [3][6][25]

The goal of asthma pharmacotherapy is to counteract bronchoconstriction by reducing bronchial inflammation and parasympathetic tone.

Patients with asthma should not be on LABAs or LAMAs without an ICS. [6]

PRN low-dose ICS/formoterol results in fewer severe exacerbations and ED visits than PRN SABA regimens regardless of baseline severity. [6]

Commonly used asthma medication

Overview of commonly used asthma medications [3][6][25]

Class Examples

Indications and uses

Mechanism
ICS/LABA (combination of inhaled corticosteroid and long-acting beta agonist)
  • Maintenance and reliever therapy
  • Combination of action of ICS plus bronchodilation
Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) [3][6]
Short-acting beta-2 agonists (SABA)
  • Reliever therapy
Long-acting beta-2 agonists (LABA)
Short-acting muscarinic antagonists (SAMA)
Long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA)
Oral glucocorticoids
Leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRAs)
  • Montelukast
  • Zafirlukast

Adverse effects of LABA therapy can include arrhythmias, tachycardia, tremor, hyperglycemia, and hypokalemia.

Inhaled corticosteroids do not take full effect until they have been used for approx. 1 week.

Additional medications

These medications are typically reserved for patients under the care of a specialist.

Overview of additional asthma drugs
Agents Indications and uses Mechanism
Leukotriene pathway modifiers (e.g., zileuton) [26]

Mast cell stabilizers (chromones; e.g., cromolyn sodium) [27]

  • No longer recommended
  • Previously used for preventive treatment before exercise
  • Prevent release of inflammatory mediators from mast cells

Methylxanthines (e.g., theophylline)
  • No longer routinely used, cardiotoxic, neurotoxic [6]
  • Minimally effective
Biologics

Anti-IgE antibodies (omalizumab) [28]

IL-4 antibodies (i.e., dupilumab)
  • Moderate to severe eosinophilic asthma
IL-5 antibodies (e.g., mepolizumab, reslizumab, benralizumab) [29]
  • Refractory severe eosinophilic asthma

Theophylline is no longer routinely prescribed because of the risk of toxicity. It is used solely as an adjunctive or alternative therapy.

The following drugs are not effective during an acute asthma attack: LABAs without ICS, leukotriene pathway modifiers, theophylline, mast-cell stabilizers, and biologics.

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Pharmacotherapy for individuals age 12 years and oldertoggle arrow icon

Preferred medications for stepwise asthma treatment for individuals ≥ 12 years of age
GINA 2025 [6] NAEPP 2020 [25]
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5
Step 6
  • N/A

Advise patients to seek medical care if they require > 12 inhalations from their ICS/LABA inhaler in a single day. [6]

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Adjunctive therapytoggle arrow icon

Implementing tertiary prevention measures improves symptom control and decreases the frequency of acute asthma exacerbations. [6][25]

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Special patient groupstoggle arrow icon

  • Asthma in pregnancy
  • Asthma in children under 5 years of age
    • Asthma in patients under 5 years of age is challenging to diagnose and is often underdiagnosed, as children in this age group are not typically able to adequately perform the spirometric maneuvers.
    • Regimens containing glucocorticoids are preferred as initial therapy in infants and young children; see “Tips and links” for details on treatment regimens and dosages. [25]
    • Young children (< 5 years) may require nebulizers because of difficulty using inhalers. [3]
  • Asthma management in the perioperative patient [6]

Severe perioperative bronchospasm is uncommon but may be life-threatening. [6]

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