Classificaation of Asthma
An expert panel for the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) recently issued new guidelines that recommend the use
of a revised classification system for asthma. Base on these guidelines, asthma is classified as mild intermittent, mild persistent, moderate persistent and severe persistent. It is important to note that patients at
any level of severity may have severe, life-threatening exacerbations. Clinical Features Before Treatment
Mild Intermittent: Intermittent symptoms <1 time a week.
- Brief exacerbation. (From few hours to a few days)
- Nighttime asthmas symptoms <2 times a month.
- Symptomatic and normal lung function between exacerbations.
Mild Persistent: Symptoms >1time a week but<1time per day.
- Exacerbation may affect activity and sleep.
- Nighttime asthma symptoms > 2 times a month.
Moderate Persistent: Symptoms daily.
- Exacerbation affect activity and sleep.
- Daily use of inhaled short-acting beta 2-agonist.
Severe Persistent: Continuous symptoms.
- Frequent exacerbations.
- Frequent nighttime asthma symptoms.
- Physical activities limited by asthma symptoms.
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