The diagnosis of asthma is a clinical one, supported by objective tests that influence the probability of asthma but do not prove a diagnosis1,2
Asthma control, including a risk assessment for future asthma, should be assessed at every asthma review, at least annually1,2
Good asthma control is associated with little or no need for SABA. Anyone prescribed more than one SABA inhaler device a month should be assessed urgently and steps taken to improve control1,2
In all patients except those with infrequent short-lived wheeze, regular low dose ICS (with SABA as required) is the recommended first line treatment1,2
All patients with asthma (and/or their parents or carers) should be provided with a personalised asthma action plan. For adults, consider quadrupling the dose of ICS to abort an asthma attack1,2
Adults whose asthma is uncontrolled on medium-dose ICS + LABA +/- LTRA should be referred for specialist care1,2