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Thursday 25 April 2024

Peer Reviewed

Feature Article Respiratory medicine

Difficult to control asthma in adults

James Bartlett, Jo Douglass

An updated version is available in the linked supplement

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Abstract

Asthma continues to be a significant disease burden in Australia and remains a common reason for patients to consult primary care providers.

Key Points

Some 5 to 10% of asthma cases are severe and difficult to treat.
Frequent use of rescue medication (oral corticosteroid) should prompt review of the patient’s asthma management plan.
Alarming features of ongoing deterioration in lung function or corticosteroid dependence should prompt early referral to a specialist centre.
Basic blood tests and spirometry may suggest an alternative diagnosis in the individual with difficult to control asthma.
Difficult to control asthma is both physically and emotionally draining. Psychological support remains an important task for the primary care physician.