Asthma/COPD

Asyraf Azhari
Hilmy Idris
Yap Zhi Zhong
 Diagnosis - history
Common and serious chronic disease that can
be controlled but NOT cured.
Asthma is characterized by airway
inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness
History of respiratory symptoms such as
wheeze, shortness of breath, chest tightness
and cough.
Symptoms often worse at night or early
morning
 Diagnosis - history
Associated with expiratory airflow
Bronchoconstriction
Airway wall thickening
Increased mucus
May be triggered by factors such as
Viral infections
Allergens
Tobacco smoke
Exercise
Stress
Excessive laughter
 Diagnosis physical examination
Physical examination is often normal
Lungs wheezing on auscultation, prolonged
expiratory phase
Wheezing may be absent during severe
asthma exacerbations (silent chest)
 Typical spirometric tracings
Volume Flow
Normal

FEV1
Asthma
(after BD)
Normal
Asthma
(before BD) Asthma
(after BD)

Asthma
(before BD)

1 2 3 4 5 6 Volume
Time (seconds)
Note: Each FEV1 represents the highest of
three reproducible measurements

Global Initiative for Asthma

 Managing exacerbations in acute care settings

INITIAL ASSESSMENT Are any of the following present?

A: airway B: breathing C: circulation Drowsiness, Confusion, Silent chest

NO
YES

Further TRIAGE BY CLINICAL STATUS Consult ICU, start SABA and O2,
according to worst feature and prepare patient for intubation

MILD or MODERATE SEVERE

Talks in phrases Talks in words

Prefers sitting to lying Sits hunched forwards
Not agitated Agitated
Respiratory rate increased Respiratory rate >30/min
Accessory muscles not used Accessory muscles being used
Pulse rate 100120 bpm Pulse rate >120 bpm
O2 saturation (on air) 9095% O2 saturation (on air) < 90%
PEF >50% predicted or best PEF 50% predicted or best

Short-acting beta2-agonists Short-acting beta2-agonists

Consider ipratropium bromide Ipratropium bromide
Controlled O2 to maintain Controlled O2 to maintain
saturation 9395% (children 94-98%) saturation 9395% (children 94-98%)
Oral corticosteroids Oral or IV corticosteroids
Consider IV magnesium
Consider high dose ICS

If continuing deterioration, treat as

severe and re-aassess for ICU

ASSESS CLINICAL PROGRESS FREQUENTLY

MEASURE LUNG FUNCTION
in all patients one hour after initial treatment

FEV1 or PEF 60-80% of predicted or FEV1 or PEF <60% of predicted or

personal best and symptoms improved personal best,or lack of clinical response
SEVERE
MODERATE
Continue treatment as above
Consider for discharge planning and reassess frequently

GINA 2017, Box 4-4 (1/4)

 GINA assessment of symptom control
A. Symptom control
Well- Partly Uncontrolled
In the past 4 weeks, has the patient had:
controlled controlled
Daytime asthma symptoms more
than twice a week? Yes No
Any night waking due to asthma? Yes No
None of 1-2 of 3-4 of
Reliever needed for symptoms* these these these
more than twice a week? Yes No
Any activity limitation due to asthma? Yes No
 Assessment of asthma
To check symptom control over the last 4 weeks
Assess risk factors for poor outcomes
Treatment issues
Inhaler techniques and compliance
Comorbidities
Rhinosinusitis, obesity, OSA, depression and anxiety
May contribute to symptoms and poor quality of life
 Assessment of risk factors
Risk factors for exacerbations include:
Ever intubated for asthma
Uncontrolled asthma symptoms
Having 1 exacerbation in last 12 months
Low FEV1 (measure lung function at start of treatment, at 3-6 months
to assess personal best, and periodically thereafter)
Incorrect inhaler technique and/or poor adherence
Smoking
Elevated FeNO in adults with allergic asthma
Obesity, pregnancy, blood eosinophilia
Risk factors for fixed airflow limitation include:
No ICS treatment, smoking, occupational exposure, mucus
hypersecretion, blood eosinophilia
Risk factors for medication side-effects include:
Frequent oral steroids, high dose/potent ICS, P450 inhibitors
 Goals of asthma management
The long term goals are:
Symptom control
Risk reduction
Establish a patient-doctor partnership
Manage in a continuous cycle
Assess
Adjust treatment
Review response
Teach and reinforce essential skills
Inhaler skills
Adherence
Guided self management education
 Stepwise approach to control asthma symptoms
and reduce risk UPDATED
2017
Diagnosis
Symptom control & risk factors
(including lung function)
Inhaler technique & adherence
Patient preference

Symptoms
Exacerbations
Asthma medications
Side-effects
Non-pharmacological strategies
Patient satisfaction
Treat modifiable risk factors
Lung function

STEP 5

STEP 4
STEP 3 Refer for add-
PREFERRED STEP 1 STEP 2
CONTROLLER on treatment
e.g.
CHOICE Med/high tiotropium,*
anti-IgE,
ICS/LABA
Low dose anti-IL5*

Low dose ICS ICS/LABA**

Other Med/high dose ICS Add tiotropium* Add low dose

Consider low Leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRA)
controller dose ICS Low dose theophylline* Low dose ICS+LTRA High dose ICS OCS
options (or + theoph*) + LTRA
(or + theoph*)

RELIEVER As-needed short-acting beta2-agonist (SABA) As-needed SABA or

low dose ICS/formoterol#

Provide guided self-management education (self-monitoring + written action plan + regular review)
REMEMBER
Treat modifiable risk factors and comorbidities, e.g. smoking, obesity, anxiety
TO...
Advise about non-pharmacological therapies and strategies, e.g. physical activity, weight loss, avoidance of
sensitizers where appropriate
Consider stepping up if uncontrolled symptoms, exacerbations or risks, but check diagnosis, inhaler
technique and adherence first
Consider adding SLIT in adult HDM-sensitive patients with allergic rhinitis who have exacerbations despite
ICS treatment, provided FEV1 is >70% predicted
Consider stepping down if symptoms controlled for 3 months + low risk for exacerbations.
Ceasing ICS is not advised.

GINA 2017, Box 3-5 (1/8) Global Initiative for Asthma

 Low, medium and high dose inhaled
corticosteroids
Adults and adolescents
Inhaled corticosteroid
(12 years)
Total daily dose (mcg)
Low Medium High

Beclometasone dipropionate (CFC) 200500 >5001000 >1000

Beclometasone dipropionate (HFA) 100200 >200400 >400
Budesonide (DPI) 200400 >400800 >800
Ciclesonide (HFA) 80160 >160320 >320
Fluticasone furoate (DPI) 100 n.a. 200
Fluticasone propionate (DPI or HFA) 100250 >250500 >500
Mometasone furoate 110220 >220440 >440
Triamcinolone acetonide 4001000 >10002000 >2000
This is not a table of equivalence, but of estimated clinical comparability
Most of the clinical benefit from ICS is seen at low doses
High doses are arbitrary, but for most ICS are those that, with prolonged use, are
associated with increased risk of systemic side-effects

GINA 2017, Box 3-6 (1/2)

 Reviewing response and adjusting
treatment
Review of symptoms
1-3 months after treatment started, then 3-12 months
During pregnance, 4-6 weeks
After an exacerbation, within 1 week
Stepping up treatment
Sustained step up, at least 2-3 months
Short term step up, for 1-2 weeks
Day to day adjustment
Stepping down
Good control for 3 months
Find pts minimum effective dose that controls both
symptoms and exacerbations
 Non-pharmacological interventions
Avoidance of tobacco smoke exposure
Provide advice and resources at every visit; advise against exposure of children to
environmental tobacco smoke (house, car)
Physical activity
Encouraged because of its general health benefits. Provide advice about exercise-
induced bronchoconstriction
Occupational asthma
Ask patients with adult-onset asthma about work history. Remove sensitizers as
soon as possible. Refer for expert advice, if available
Avoid medications that may worsen asthma
Always ask about asthma before prescribing NSAIDs or beta-blockers
Remediation of dampness or mold in homes
Reduces asthma symptoms and medication use in adults
Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT)
Consider as add-on therapy in adult HDM-sensitive patients with allergic rhinitis
who have exacerbations despite ICS treatment, provided FEV1 is 70% predicted
GINA 2017, Box 3-9
 Guided asthma self-management and
skills training
Essential components are:
Skills training to use inhaler devices correctly
Encouraging adherence with medications,
appointments
Asthma information
Guided self-management support
Self-monitoring of symptoms and/or PEF
Written asthma action plan
Regular review by a health care provider

GINA 2017
 Reference
Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) 2017
http://ginasthma.org/