An adult with asthma controlled on SABA and ICS; what criteria indicate stepping up therapy?

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Multiple Choice

An adult with asthma controlled on SABA and ICS; what criteria indicate stepping up therapy?

When asthma control is not achieved with the current rescue and controller therapy, stepping up is indicated. The strongest triggers are more frequent daytime symptoms, more nighttime awakenings, and a measurable drop in lung function, or a failure to reach control despite ongoing treatment. These signs show that the current regimen isn’t adequately controlling inflammation and airflow, so increasing therapy (for example, raising the inhaled corticosteroid dose or adding another controller) is appropriate. In contrast, a decreased need for inhaled therapy, stable symptoms for several months, or only minor or improving lung function does not indicate stepping up; these patterns suggest good control or improvement, guiding you to maintain or even step down therapy rather than escalate.

When asthma control is not achieved with the current rescue and controller therapy, stepping up is indicated. The strongest triggers are more frequent daytime symptoms, more nighttime awakenings, and a measurable drop in lung function, or a failure to reach control despite ongoing treatment. These signs show that the current regimen isn’t adequately controlling inflammation and airflow, so increasing therapy (for example, raising the inhaled corticosteroid dose or adding another controller) is appropriate.

In contrast, a decreased need for inhaled therapy, stable symptoms for several months, or only minor or improving lung function does not indicate stepping up; these patterns suggest good control or improvement, guiding you to maintain or even step down therapy rather than escalate.

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