Diagnosis and treatment of adult asthma patients in Serbia: a 2022 experts group position statement

Expert Rev Respir Med. 2022 Nov 30. doi: 10.1080/17476348.2022.2153674. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTINTRODUCTION: :Asthma is the most common non-communicable chronic lung condition in all age groups. Epidemiological data indicate that many asthma patients in Serbia remain undiagnosed and untreated. The implementation of recent global advances in asthma management is limited due to the lack of a systematic approach, drug availability, costs and regulatory affairs. In addition, the 2019-2022 global coronavirus disease pandemic has posed a significant challenge, particularly in resource-limited settings.AREAS COVERED: In this paper, we propose an algorithm for treating adult asthma patients in Serbia based on national expert opinions. We performed PubMed database search on published asthma clinical trials and guidelines from January 1st, 2015 to March 10th,2020.The consensus process incorporated a modified Delphi method that included two rounds of email questionnaires and three rounds of national asthma expert meetings. We focus on: 1) objective diagnosis of asthma, 2) the implementation of up-to-date therapeutic options and 3) the identification and referral of severe asthma patients to newly established severe asthma centres.EXPERT OPINION: Regional specificities and variations in healthcare systems require the adaptation of evidence-based knowledge. Practical, clinically oriented algorithms designed to overcome local barriers in health care delivery may facilitate timely an...
Source: Respiratory Care - Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Source Type: research