As an increasing number of improved asthma treatments are developed, a greater number of people with asthma are finding their symptoms under control. Their improved status raises an important question for healthcare providers (HCPs) who treat this condition: “What qualifies as clinical remission in the treatment of asthma?”
A panel of 11 experts in asthma care came together to review available literature to create a working definition. The panel included six allergists, three pulmonologists and two pediatricians. The paper outlining their recommendations is published in Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, the scientific journal of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.
As a group, we recognize that with the recent introduction of new biologic therapies for asthma treatment, the concept of disease remission has become something we can aspire to. To date, there is no standard, accepted definition for clinical remission on treatment in asthma. We see this document as a jumping-off point, and a template to allow for further clinical research. HCPs treating those with asthma can use this definition to generate needed data, and we expect the definition to evolve over time.”
Michael Blaiss, MD, allergist, member of the workgroup and lead author of the paper
As the term “remission” has historically implied total control of asthma, without medication use, the workgroup proposed six criteria for asthma clinical remission on treatment. Of the six criteria, three had unanimous consent while the remaining three had factors that remain under consideration.
The following three criteria