Asthma Management Reference for adults, adolescents and children

GINA
At-A-Glance Asthma
Management Reference
for adults, adolescents and children 6–11 years


Updated 2016

This resource should be used in conjunction with the
Global Strategy for Asthma Management and Prevention
(updated 2016 ) - www.ginasthma.org
.

Health professionals should use their own professional
judgment in assessing and treating patients, and should
take into account any local regulations or guidelines.
©Global Initiative for Asthma COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL-DO NOT ALTER OR REPRODUCE

2
DEFINITION & DIAGNOSIS OF ASTHMA
Asthma is a common and potentially serious chronic disease
that can be effectively treated to control symptoms and
minimize the risk of flare- ups (exacerbations). Asthma is
usually characterized by chronic airway inflammation.
The two key defining features of asthma are:
• A history of variable respiratory symptoms such as
wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, cough
• Variable expiratory airflow limitation.
When making the diagnosis of asthma, document:
• A typical pattern of symptoms, e.g. more than one
type of respiratory symptom; often worse at night or early
morning; varying over time and in intensity; triggered by
colds, exercise, allergen exposure, laughter or smoke
• Physical examination: often normal, but may show
wheezing on auscultation, especially on forced expiration
• Expiratory airflow limitation: c onfirm that when FEV
1 is
reduced, FEV
1/FVC ratio is reduced (this ratio is normally
> 0.75–0.80 in healthy adults, and >0.90 in children)
• Excessive variation in lung function: for example,
o Bronchodilator reversibility, i.e. FEV
1 increases by
>12% and 200mL (in