Updated guidance for better asthma care
20 April 2004

New guidelines for healthcare professionals on treating asthma recommend better education about self-management and a different approach to prescribing steroids.

The guidance from the British Thoracic Society (BTS) and the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) was first published last year as good practice for health workers in surgeries and hospitals. It aimed to ensure that people with asthma across the UK receive a consistent standard of care and information to help control their symptoms. The guidelines were developed using evidence from studies of treatment that has been proved to be effective, and encompass medication and lifestyle issues.

Key recommendations in the latest update, published today, include:

• the use of inhaled steroids in treating milder cases of asthma;
• improved information and education tailored towards the individual needs of people with asthma;
• increased use of asthma action plans that give specific advice on recognising a deterioration in symptoms and what steps to take should this happen;
• people who have been admitted to hospital with severe asthma symptoms should be given an asthma action plan before they are discharged;
• people who have attended hospital with asthma should have had a follow-up appointment made for them within the next 30 days by the time they leave.

The new guidance was welcomed by the National Asthma Campaign: 'These updated guidelines are an important step towards improving the health and well-being of the 5.1 million people wth asthma in the UK today,' said Donna Covey, the Campaign's chief executive.

'Regular updates of these guidelines are vital in translating research evidence into better control over asthma symptoms,' she said. 'We now need to make sure that all doctors and nurses are aware of them and adhere to them in the management and care of their asthma patients.'