Classification Of Asthma according to National Asthma Education and Prevention Program is defined as follow :
1) Intermittent.
2) Mildly persistent.
3) Moderate persistent.
4) Severe persistent.
- These classification of Asthma are based upon severity determined by symptoms and tests for lung function. It is recommended to be placed in the most severe category within which any symptoms occur.
- The classification is based on symptoms before treatment.
- Classification of Asthma may change over time.
- Anyone in any class is susceptible to severe asthma attacks.
- Asthma among children younger than age 4 is often difficult to recognize. The symptoms could differ from asthma symptoms in adults or older children.
1) Intermittent asthma
- Asthma is classified as intermittent when it is not treated one of these is real:
- The symptoms (difficulty breathing, wheezing, tightness in the chest, coughing):
- It is not more than two days per week.
- Do not disrupt regular activities.
- Nighttime symptoms are common on less than two days in a month.
- Tests for lung function ( spirometry and peak expiratory flow[PEF]) are considered normal when the patient isn’t suffering from asthma symptoms. These tests yield at least 80 percent or more than the expected values and change only a little (PEF is less than 20 percent) between morning and afternoon.
2) Mildly persistent asthma
- Asthma is regarded as mild persistent when it is not treated; the following conditions are actual: one of these is valid:
- The symptoms can be experienced for more than two days a week but don’t occur daily.
- Attacks can disrupt daily activities.
- Nighttime symptoms can occur three to four times per month.
- The tests for the function of your lungs are routine if the patient isn’t experiencing the symptoms of asthma. Test results are usually 80 percent or more of the desired value. They can fluctuate a little (PEF is between 20% and 30 percent) between morning and afternoon.
3) Moderate persistent asthma
- Asthma is regarded as moderately persistent when it is not treated; one among the following is the case:
- Symptoms occur daily. Short-acting asthma inhalers are utilized throughout the day.
- It is a problem that can affect daily activities.
- Nighttime symptoms occur at least once per week, but they do not happen every day.
- The tests for lung function are not regular (more than 60 percent or less than 80 percent of the average value). PEF fluctuates over 30 percent from morning to afternoon.
4) Severe persistent asthma
- Asthma is regarded as severe and persistent if it is not treated; the following conditions are actual: among the following is valid:
- Symptoms of sever persistent asthma
- It happens throughout the day.
- Limit your physical activity to a minimum.
- The symptoms of nighttime can be seen frequently and sometimes all night long.
- The tests for lung function are not regular (60 percent or less than average), and PEF is over 30 percent from morning until afternoon.
- Suppose you or your child has asthma that persists (mild or moderate or extreme) and receives the correct treatment. In that case, treatment aims to manage symptoms so that they do not often occur in intermittent asthma.
Severity | Symptom frequency | Night-time symptoms | %FEV1 of predicted | FEV1 variability | SABA use |
Intermittent | ≤2/week | ≤2/month | ≥80% | <20% | ≤2 days/week |
Mild persistent | >2/week | 3–4/month | ≥80% | 20–30% | >2 days/week |
Moderate persistent | Daily | >1/week | 60–80% | >30% | daily |
Severe persistent | Continuously | Frequent (7/week) | <60% | >30% | ≥twice/day |
From <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asthma#Classification>
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