Polish Society of Allergology statement on the diagnosis and treatment of severe, difficult-to-control bronchial asthma.

Polish Society of Allergology statement on the diagnosis and treatment of severe, difficult-to-control bronchial asthma. Postepy Dermatol Alergol. 2019 Apr;36(2):147-157 Authors: Kupczyk M, Bartuzi Z, Bodzenta-Łukaszyk A, Kulus M, Kuna P, Kupryś-Lipińska I, Mazurek H Abstract Severe asthma requires at least high doses of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) in combination with a long-acting β-agonist (LABA) or systemic corticosteroids (SCS) for more than 50% of days/year to avoid loss of control, or remains uncontrolled despite the treatment described above. The diagnosis of severe asthma should be confirmed in a reference centre as it requires careful differential diagnosis and the exclusion of factors hindering the achievement of optimal control. Severe asthma represents a significant burden for the patient, their family and the healthcare system. This is due to the severity of the symptoms, drug costs, significant impairment of everyday functioning and life quality, and limitation in the professional work. In the case of ineffectiveness of the step 4 GINA treatment, the patient should be referred to a specialist centre to consider additional treatment, including anti-IgE receptor (omalizumab), anti-IL-5 receptor (mepolizumab), or an antibody directed against the α-subunit of receptor for IL-5 (benralizumab). In the case of severe asthma, intensification of therapy should first of all include biological therapy and not the use of SCS...
Source: Advances in Dermatology and Allergology - Category: Dermatology Tags: Postepy Dermatol Alergol Source Type: research