Definitions

12 years and over (for purposes of asthma management).

See Expiratory airflow limitation.

A single-inhaler combination of an inhaled corticosteroid and formoterol that can be taken as needed for symptom relief (with or without daily maintenance treatment). Certain inhalers containing beclometasone-formoterol or budesonide-formoterol are approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration as anti-inflammatory relievers. Age restrictions apply (see Medicines guide).

An asthma treatment regimen for adults and adolescents in which the patient uses a budesonide-formoterol inhaler as needed when asthma symptoms occur, with no daily maintenance treatment (see Medicines guide).

A chronic inflammatory lung condition, clinically defined as the combination of variable respiratory symptoms (e.g. wheeze, breathlessness, chest tightness, cough) and variable airflow limitation. ‘Asthma’ is a diagnostic label for a group of lung diseases with various disease mechanisms, not a single disease.

See also Asthma symptom control.

The degree to which asthma symptoms can be controlled and exacerbations prevented by ICS-containing treatment. It is defined by the intensity of treatment necessary to achieve good symptom control and prevent exacerbations. An individual’s asthma can be classified as ‘mild’, ‘moderately severe’ or ‘severe’ only after several months of optimised treatment. Severe asthma has been defined internationally as asthma that remains uncontrolled despite high-dose ICS-LABA (with correct inhaler technique and good adherence) or maintenance oral corticosteroids, or that requires this level of treatment intensity to prevent it becoming uncontrolled.

A test for airflow variability that uses spirometry to measure forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁ ) before and 10–15 minutes after administration of a bronchodilator. A positive test is defined as a clinically significant increase in FEV₁ (see Diagnosis for criteria applicable to each age group).

An episode of worsening asthma symptoms and lung function, compared with the person’s previous status (i.e. outside the patient’s usual range of day-to-day variation). The term ‘exacerbation’ covers the range of clinical situations and patient experiences from worsening asthma symptoms manageable by the patient at home to a severe acute asthma managed in the emergency department.

Reduction in the ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁) to forced vital capacity (FVC) measured by spirometry, compared with population normal, usually defined as FEV₁/FVC <0.7 or < lower limit of normal.

Defined by daily total dose according to age group (see Medicines guide).

Any regimen that includes ICS, including as-needed budesonide-formoterol (AIR-only therapy), MART with ICS-formoterol, maintenance ICS plus as-needed SABA, and maintenance ICS-LABA plus as-needed SABA (see Medicines guide).

Defined by daily total dose according to age group (see Medicines guide).

Treatment taken every day (once or twice daily, according to TGA-approved Product Information).

An asthma treatment regimen for adults and adolescents in which the patient uses an ICS-formoterol inhaler for daily maintenance treatment, and also uses the same inhaler as needed when asthma symptoms occur. Certain inhalers containing beclometasone-formoterol or budesonide-formoterol are approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration for MART defined by daily total dose according to age group (see Medicines guide).

Defined by daily total dose according to age group (see Medicines guide).

Secondary or tertiary care health professional, such as adult respiratory physician, paediatric respiratory physician, paediatrician, or allergist.

Excessive fluctuation in airflow, compared with the healthy population, manifested as variable respiratory symptoms (e.g. wheeze, cough, difficulty breathing, tight feeling in chest) and demonstrated objectively by a positive bronchodilator responsiveness test on spirometry or by bronchial provocation testing.

A digital or hard-copy document, prepared for an individual patient, stating the person’s usual asthma and allergy medicines and providing clear instructions on how to adjust medication when symptoms are worsening, and when and how to get medical care, including during an asthma emergency.