Asthma Treatments

	Period: Day	Period: Night	Lung Function	Treatment
Intermittent	<= 2 Days a Week	<= 2 Nights a Month	Normal predicted FEV1, normal FEV1/FVC	SABA
Mild Persistent	> 2 Days a Week, not daily	3-4 Nights a Month	80% predicted FEV1, normal FEV1/FVC	SABA + low dose IGC
Moderate Persistent	Daily	> once a week, not nightly	61-79% predicted FEV1, FEV1/FVC reduced 5%	SABA + low dose IGC + LABA
Severe Persistent	All.The.Time.	Often every night	60% or less predicted FEV1, FEV1/FVC reduced >5%	SABA + high dose IGC + LABA

Asthma is defined by a triad that includes airway inflammation, airway hyperresponsiveness, and reversible airflow obstruction. It can occur at any age. COPD and Asthma may be differentiated because when placed under bronchodilator challenge, FEV1 is increased with Asthma but remains the same in COPD. FEV1/FVC are decreased in both severe asthma and COPD, as with all obstructive lung diseases.

Leukotriene-modifying agents include zafirlukast, montelukast, and zileuton. These agents can be helpful in patients who may be less sensitive to inhaled glucocorticoids (because of a smoking history) or those with exercise or aspirin-induced asthma.