Joint asthma guideline

In a new collaboration, the British Thoracic Society (BTS), Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) and NICE developed a joint guideline for a new asthma pathway. Traditionally, two separate inhaled drug treatments have generally been used – an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) to reduce inflammation and a drug to increase bronchodilation (usually a short-acting beta agonist (SABA)).

The new BTS/ SIGN/NICE guideline recommends a SABA-free pathway to treatment, combining a licensed ICS and the long-acting beta agonist (LABA) formoterol. There are two acronyms for treatment – AIR (antiinflammatory reliever) and MART (maintenance and reliever treatment). AIR is used to treat mild asthma (for those who get symptoms less than twice a month). MART is used for asthma patients who have symptoms most days or wake with asthma once a week or more. This is a major change from previous practice and, over time, will become the new normal in asthma management. Watch out for a new CPD module in early 2025 covering this important guideline.