Management of acute asthma exacerbations in primary care

PRIMARY CARE Patients presents with acute or sub-acute asthma exacerbation

Is it asthma?
ASSESS the PATIENT Risk factor for asthma-related death?
Severity of exacerbation?

MILD or MODERATE SEVERE LIFE-THREATENING

Talk in phrases, prefer sitting
to lying, not agitated
Respiratory rate increased
Accessory muscles not used
Pulse rate 100-120 bpm
O2 Saturation (on air) 90-95%
PEF >50% predicted or best
Talk in words, sits hunched Drowsy, confused or silent
forward, agitated chest
Respiratory rate >30/minute
Accessory muscles used
Pulse rate >120 bpm
O2 Saturation (on air) <90%
PEF <50% predicted or best

URGENT

START TREATMENT
SABA: 4 – 10 puffs by pMDI+spacer, repeat
TRANSFER TO ACUTE
every 20 minutes for 1 hour
CARE FACILITY
WORSENING While waiting: give SABA,
Prednisone: adults 40 – 50 mg. children 1 –
ipratropium bromide, O2,
2 mg/kg max 40 mg
systemic corticosteroid
Controlled oxygen, (if available): target
saturation 93 – 95% (children 94 – 96%)

CONTINUE TREATMENT with SABA as needed WORSENING

ASSESS RESPONSE AT 1 HOUR (or earlier)

IMPROVING

ARRANGE at DISCHARGE
ASSESS FOR DISCHARGE Reliever: continue as needed
Symptoms improved, not needing SABA Controller: start, or step-up, check inhaler
PEF improving, and >60-80% of personal best technique, adherence
or predicted Prednisone: continue, usually for 5 – 7 day (3
Oxygen saturation ?94% room air – 5 days for children)
Resources at home adequate Follow-up: within 2 – 7 days (1 – 2 for
children)

FOLLOW UP
Review symptoms and signs: is the exacerbation resolving? Should prednisone be continued/
Reliever: reduce to as needed Controller; continue higher dose for short term (1-2 weeks) or
long term (3 months), depending on background to exacerbation
Risk factors: check and correct modifiable risk factors that may have contributed to
exacerbation including inhaler technique and adherence. Refer of >1 – 2 exacerbation in a year
Action plan: is it understood? Was it used appropriately? Does it need modification?
 Pathogenesis of asthma

antigen
naïve T-lymphocyte

IL-12
Th-0
Dendritic cell

IL-12
Th-2 response

Th-1 response
IL-4, IL-13 IL-9 IL-3 IL-3, IL-5
IFN-Ɣ, lymphotoxin, IL-2 IL4 GM-CSF

IgE Mast cells Basophils Eosinophils

Cell mediated immunity
and Neutrophilic
inflamamtion
Mediators of inflammation
(eg. Histamine, prostaglandins,
leukotrienes, enzymes

Bronchial hyperresponsiveness
Asthma symptoms
Airway obstruction