Peer Reviewed
Feature Article Respiratory medicine
Difficult to control asthma in adults
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.
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