An expert review on breaking barriers in severe asthma in Brazil: Time to act.

Currently, Brazil lacks a national asthma management program and is burdened with nearly 200,000 hospitalizations due to the disease per year and approximately 5 deaths per day. The purpose of this article was to analyze the current issues surrounding severe asthma in Brazil, as the status of diagnosis and treatment is largely unknown, and to provide feasible recommendations to elicit imminent action. A panel of Brazilian medical experts in the field of severe asthma was provided with a series of relevant questions to address prior to a multi-day conference. Within this conference, each narrative was discussed and edited by the entire group. Through numerous rounds of discussion consensus was achieved. In order to overcome barriers to adequate asthma treatment, this panel recommends specific initiatives that can be implemented in the short-term to decrease the burden of severe asthma in Brazil. With increasing healthcare costs and limited resources globally, there is an opportunity to implement these recommendations in other countries in order to achieve adequate asthma care. Severe asthma is a heterogeneous and complex disease with various phenotypes that requires strict attention for diagnosis and management. Although this disease affects only a small proportion of the population with asthma, it poses a great burden to healthcare systems. Thus, barriers to diagnosis, treatment, and management should be overcome as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Rhinosinusitis symptoms, smoking and COPD: Prevalence and associations.

OBJECTIVE (S): To estimate the prevalence and associations among rhinosinusitis symptoms, smoking and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Population-based. PARTICIPANTS: All adults aged 40 years or more living in the selected households in the city of Florianópolis (Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Assessment instruments comprised household interviews, anthropometric measurements and spirometry. Rhinosinusitis symptoms were based on the responses to the 22-item Sinonasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) questionnaire; smoking status was defined by the criteria of the CDC, and the functional diagnosis of COPD was done by spirometry. RESULTS: The prevalence (n = 1056) of rhinosinusitis symptoms, smoking and COPD was 14.7%, 17.9% and 8.7%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that, with the exception of COPD, all other clinical variables (smoking, previous diagnosis of rhinitis, previous diagnosis of gastritis/ulcer/gastroesophageal reflux, and symptoms of depression) remained associated with higher prevalence of rhinosinusitis symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Rhinosinusitis symptoms were common both in smokers and in patients with COPD. However, only tobacco was significantly associated with rhinosinusitis symptoms and can act as a cofounder in the association between COPD and rhinosinusitis symptoms.

Periostin as an important biomarker of inflammatory phenotype T2 in Brazilian asthma patients.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the laboratory performance of periostin associated with a panel of biomarkers to identify the inflammatory phenotype of Brazilian asthma patients. METHODS: We evaluated 103 Brazilian individuals, including 37 asthmatics and 66 nonasthmatic controls. Both groups underwent analyses for serum periostin, eosinophil levels in the peripheral blood, the fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), total serum IgE, urinary leukotriene E4, and serum cytokines. RESULTS: Higher levels of periostin (p = 0.005), blood eosinophils (p = 0.012), FeNO (p = 0.001), total IgE (p < 0.001), and IL-6 (p ≤ 0.001) were found in the asthmatic patients than the controls. Biomarker analyses by the ROC curve showed an AUC greater than 65%. Periostin (OR: 12,550; 95% CI: 2,498-63,063) and IL-6 (OR: 7,249; 95% CI: 1,737-30,262) revealed to be suitable asthma inflammation biomarkers. Blood eosinophils, FeNO, total IgE, IL-6, TNF, and IFN-g showed correlations with clinical severity characteristics in asthmatic patients. Periostin showed higher values in T2 asthma (p = 0.006) and TNF in non-T2 asthma (p = 0.029). CONCLUSION: The panel of biomarkers proposed for the identification of the inflammatory phenotype of asthmatic patients demonstrated good performance. Periostin proved to be an important biomarker for the identification of T2 asthma.

2021 Brazilian Thoracic Association recommendations for the management of severe asthma.

Advances in the understanding that severe asthma is a complex and heterogeneous disease and in the knowledge of the pathophysiology of asthma, with the identification of different phenotypes and endotypes, have allowed new approaches for the diagnosis and characterization of the disease and have resulted in relevant changes in pharmacological management. In this context, the definition of severe asthma has been established, being differentiated from difficult-to-control asthma. These recommendations address this topic and review advances in phenotyping, use of biomarkers, and new treatments for severe asthma. Emphasis is given to topics regarding personalized management of the patient and selection of biologicals, as well as the importance of evaluating the response to treatment. These recommendations apply to adults and children with severe asthma and are targeted at physicians involved in asthma treatment. A panel of 17 Brazilian pulmonologists was invited to review recent evidence on the diagnosis and management of severe asthma, adapting it to the Brazilian reality. Each of the experts was responsible for reviewing a topic or question relevant to the topic. In a second phase, four experts discussed and structured the texts produced, and, in the last phase, all experts reviewed and approved the present manuscript and its recommendations.

Body mass index, asthma, and respiratory symptoms: a population-based study.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and asthma, according to body mass index (BMI), as well as to evaluate factors associated with physician-diagnosed asthma, in individuals ≥ 40 years of age. METHODS: This was a population-based cross-sectional study conducted in Florianópolis, Brazil, with probability sampling. Data were collected during home visits. Demographic data were collected, as were reports of physician-diagnosed asthma, respiratory symptoms, medications in use, and comorbidities. Anthropometric measurements were taken. Individuals also underwent spirometry before and after bronchodilator administration. Individuals were categorized as being of normal weight (BMI < 25 kg/m2), overweight (25 kg/m2 ≥ BMI < 30 kg/m2), or obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2). RESULTS: A total of 1,026 individuals were evaluated, 274 (26.7%) were of normal weight, 436 (42.5%) were overweight, and 316 (30.8%) were obese. The prevalence of physician-diagnosed asthma was 11.0%. The prevalence of obesity was higher in women (p = 0.03), as it was in respondents with ≤ 4 years of schooling (p < 0.001) or a family income of 3-10 times the national minimum wage. Physician-diagnosed asthma was more common among obese individuals than among those who were overweight and those of normal weight (16.1%, 9.9%, and 8.0%, respectively; p = 0.04), as were dyspnea (35.5%, 22.5%, and 17.9%, respectively; p < 0.001) and wheezing in the last year (25.6%, 11.9%, and 14.6%, respectively; p < 0.001). These results were independent of patient smoking status. In addition, obese individuals were three times more likely to report physician-diagnosed asthma than were those of normal weight (p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: A report of physician-diagnosed asthma showed a significant association with being ≥ 40 years of age and with having a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2. Being obese tripled the chance of physician-diagnosed asthma.

2020 Brazilian Thoracic Association recommendations for the management of asthma.

The pharmacological management of asthma has changed considerably in recent decades, as it has come to be understood that it is a complex, heterogeneous disease with different phenotypes and endotypes. It is now clear that the goal of asthma treatment should be to achieve and maintain control of the disease, as well as to minimize the risks (of exacerbations, disease instability, accelerated loss of lung function, and adverse treatment effects). That requires an approach that is personalized in terms of the pharmacological treatment, patient education, written action plan, training in correct inhaler use, and review of the inhaler technique at each office visit. A panel of 22 pulmonologists was invited to perform a critical review of recent evidence of pharmacological treatment of asthma and to prepare this set of recommendations, a treatment guide tailored to use in Brazil. The topics or questions related to the most significant changes in concepts, and consequently in the management of asthma in clinical practice, were chosen by a panel of experts. To formulate these recommendations, we asked each expert to perform a critical review of a topic or to respond to a question, on the basis of evidence in the literature. In a second phase, three experts discussed and structured all texts submitted by the others. That was followed by a third phase, in which all of the experts reviewed and discussed each recommendation. These recommendations, which are intended for physicians involved in the treatment of asthma, apply to asthma patients of all ages.

How does the GINA definition of control correlate with quality of life and sputum cellularity?

Since 2014, the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) has stated that asthma control should be measured using four questions concerning diurnal and nocturnal symptoms, activity limitation, and rescue medication use. We assessed how asthma control by this definition correlates with airway inflammation and quality of life. 113 asthmatic subjects consecutively recruited from their routine clinical appointment underwent spirometry, sputum induction and answered the Standardised Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ(S)) during a single visit. 43 (38.1%), 37 (32.7%) and 33 (29.2%) subjects had controlled asthma, partly controlled asthma and uncontrolled asthma, respectively. The majority of subjects with controlled asthma (67.4%) had paucigranulocytic sputum. Eosinophilic sputum was present in all levels of asthma control. Although most subjects with controlled asthma (58.1%) achieved an AQLQ(S) score ≥6 (minimal or no impairment), the remaining patients (41.9%) had moderate/some impairment (AQLQ(S) score <6 and ≥3) due to activity impairment and environmental exposure. The present GINA definition of current symptom control reflects control of airway inflammation. However, quality of life impairment can be present even in these patients. Measuring quality of life may provide useful information when evaluating asthma control.

Prevalence of smoking and reasons for continuing to smoke: a population-based study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of smoking and the reasons for continuing to smoke among adults in Brazil. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional, population-based study including 1,054 individuals ≥ 40 years of age, residents of the city of Florianopolis, Brazil, of whom 183 were smokers. All of the smokers completed the University of São Paulo Reasons for Smoking Scale (USP-RSS). Depressive symptoms were evaluated with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and spirometry was performed to screen for COPD. RESULTS: Of the 183 smokers, 105 (57.4%) were female, 138 (75.4%) were White, and 125 (63.8%) were in a low economic class. The mean level of education among the smokers was 9.6 ± 6.1 years. The mean smoking history was 29 ± 15 pack-years, 59% of the men having a ≥ 30 pack-year smoking history. Approximately 20% of the smokers had COPD, and 29% had depressive symptoms, which were more common in the women. The USP-RSS scores were highest for the pleasure of smoking (PS), tension reduction (TR), and physical dependence (PD) domains (3.9 ± 1.1, 3.6 ± 1.2, and 3.5 ± 1.3, respectively). Scores for the PS, TR, and weight control (WC) domains were significantly higher in women. Smokers with a > 20 pack-year smoking history scored significantly higher on the PD, PS, automatism, and close association (CA) domains. Smoking history was associated with the PD, PS, TR, and CA domains. Depressive symptoms were associated with the PD, social smoking, and CA domains (p = 0.001; p = 0.01; p = 0.09, respectively). Female gender and a low level of education were associated with the PS domain (p = 0.04) and TR domain (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of smoking in our sample was relatively high (17.4%). The USP-RSS domains PS, TR, and WC explain why individuals continue smoking, as do depressive symptoms.

Translation and cultural adaptation of the King's Brief Interstitial Lung Disease health status questionnaire for use in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To translate the King's Brief Interstitial Lung Disease (K-BILD) questionnaire to Portuguese and culturally adapt it for use in Brazil. The K-BILD quantifies the health status of patients with ILD. METHODS: The process involved the following steps: authorization from the author of the original (English-language) questionnaire; translation of the questionnaire to Portuguese by three translators, working independently; merging of the translations by a committee of specialists; back-translation of the questionnaire to English; revision and readjustment of the back-translation by the committee of specialists; evaluation by the original author; revision of the back-translation; cognitive debriefing (verification of the clarity and acceptability of the Portuguese-language version in the target population-i.e., patients with ILD); and finalization of the Portuguese-language version. RESULTS: In the cognitive debriefing step, 20 patients with ILD were interviewed. After the interviews, the clarity and acceptability index of each question was ≥ 0.8, which is considered acceptable. CONCLUSIONS: The Portuguese-language version of K-BILD appears to be easily administered to and understood by patients with ILD in Brazil. To our knowledge, this is the only instrument in Brazilian Portuguese that is designed to evaluate the impact that ILD has on the various aspects of the lives of those it affects.

Is the COPD Assessment Test sensitive for differentiating COPD patients from active smokers and nonsmokers without lung function impairment? A population-based study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess COPD Assessment Test (CAT) scores in adults with and without COPD, as well as to compare the CAT scores for nonsmokers, former smokers, and smokers without COPD with those for patients with COPD. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional population-based study (the Respira Floripa study). The study included adults ≥ 40 years of age residing in the city of Florianópolis, Brazil. A total of 846 households were surveyed. In addition to completing the Respira Floripa questionnaire and the CAT, participants underwent pulmonary function testing. RESULTS: We analyzed data on 1,057 participants (88.1% of the predicted sample size). A functional diagnosis of COPD was made in 92 participants (8.7%). Of those, 72% were unaware that they had COPD. The mean CAT score was higher in the group of COPD patients than in that of individuals without COPD (10.6 [95% CI: 8.8-12.4] vs. 6.6 [95% CI: 6.1-7.0]; p < 0.01). Individual item scores were significantly higher in the patients with COPD than in the individuals without COPD (p < 0.001), the exception being the scores for the items related to sleep (p = 0.13) and energy (p = 0.08). The mean CAT score was higher in the group of COPD patients than in nonsmokers (5.8 [95% CI: 5.3-6.4]) and former smokers (6.4 [95% CI: 5.6-7.2]; p < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences in the mean CAT score between the group of COPD patients and smokers without COPD (9.5 [95% CI: 8.2-10.8]; p > 0.05), the exception being the mean scores for confidence leaving home (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: CAT scores were higher in the group of patients with COPD than in nonsmokers and former smokers without COPD. However, there were no significant differences in CAT scores between COPD patients and smokers without COPD. Smokers with an FEV1/FVC ratio > 0.70 have impaired health status and respiratory symptoms similar to those observed in COPD patients.

Periostin as an important biomarker of inflammatory phenotype T2 in Brazilian asthma patients / Periostina como um importante biomarcador do fenótipo inflamatório T2 em pacientes brasileiros com asma

ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the laboratory performance of periostin associated with a panel of biomarkers to identify the inflammatory phenotype of Brazilian asthma patients. Methods: We evaluated 103 Brazilian individuals, including 37 asthmatics and 66 nonasthmatic controls. Both groups underwent analyses for serum periostin, eosinophil levels in the peripheral blood, the fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), total serum IgE, urinary leukotriene E4, and serum cytokines. Results: Higher levels of periostin (p = 0.005), blood eosinophils (p = 0.012), FeNO (p = 0.001), total IgE (p < 0.001), and IL-6 (p ≤ 0.001) were found in the asthmatic patients than the controls. Biomarker analyses by the ROC curve showed an AUC greater than 65%. Periostin (OR: 12,550; 95% CI: 2,498-63,063) and IL-6 (OR: 7,249; 95% CI: 1,737-30,262) revealed to be suitable asthma inflammation biomarkers. Blood eosinophils, FeNO, total IgE, IL-6, TNF, and IFN-g showed correlations with clinical severity characteristics in asthmatic patients. Periostin showed higher values in T2 asthma (p = 0.006) and TNF in non-T2 asthma (p = 0.029). Conclusion: The panel of biomarkers proposed for the identification of the inflammatory phenotype of asthmatic patients demonstrated good performance. Periostin proved to be an important biomarker for the identification of T2 asthma.

RESUMO Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi de avaliar o desempenho laboratorial da periostina associada a um painel de biomarcadores para identificar o fenótipo inflamatório de pacientes brasileiros com asma. Métodos: Foram avaliados 103 indivíduos brasileiros, incluindo 37 asmáticos e 66 controles não asmáticos. Ambos os grupos foram submetidos a análises de periostina sérica, níveis de eosinófilos no sangue periférico, a fração exalada de óxido nítrico (FeNO), IgE sérica total, leucotrieno E4 urinário e citocinas séricas. Resultados: Maiores níveis de periostina (p = 0,005), eosinófilos periféricos (p = 0,012), FeNO (p = 0,001), IgE total (p < 0,001) e IL-6 (p ≤ 0,001) foram encontrados nos pacientes asmáticos do que nos controles. As análises de biomarcadores pela curva ROC mostraram uma AUC superior a 65%. A periostina (OR: 12.550; IC 95%: 2.498-63.063) e a IL-6 (OR: 7.249; IC 95%: 1.737-30.262) se mostraram biomarcadores adequados da inflamação da asma. Eosinófilos periféricos, FeNO, IgE total, IL-6, TNF e IFN-g apresentaram correlação com características clínicas de gravidade em pacientes asmáticos. A periostina teve valores mais elevados na asma T2 (p = 0,006) e o TNF na asma não T2 (p = 0,029). Conclusão: O painel de biomarcadores proposto para a identificação do fenótipo inflamatório de pacientes asmáticos demonstrou bom desempenho. A periostina provou ser um importante biomarcador para a identificação da asma T2.

Translation and cultural adaptation of a specific instrument for measuring asthma control and asthma status: the Asthma Control and Communication Instrument.

OBJECTIVE: To translate the Asthma Control and Communication Instrument (ACCI) to Portuguese and adapt it for use in Brazil. METHODS: The ACCI was translated to Portuguese and adapted for use in Brazil in accordance with internationally accepted guidelines. The protocol included the following steps: permission and rights of use granted by the original author; translation of the ACCI from English to Portuguese; reconciliation; back-translation; review and harmonization of the back-translation; approval from the original author; review of the Portuguese version of the ACCI by an expert panel; cognitive debriefing (the clarity, understandability, and acceptability of the translated version being tested in a sample of the target population); and reconciliation and preparation of the final version. RESULTS: During the cognitive debriefing process, 41 asthma patients meeting the inclusion criteria completed the ACCI and evaluated the clarity of the questions/statements. The clarity index for all ACCI items was > 0.9, meaning that all items were considered to be clear. CONCLUSIONS: The ACCI was successfully translated to Portuguese and culturally adapted for use in Brazil, the translated version maintaining the psychometric properties of the original version. The ACCI can be used in clinical practice because it is easy to understand and easily applied.

Body mass index, asthma, and respiratory symptoms: a population-based study / Índice de massa corpórea, asma e sintomas respiratórios: um estudo de base populacional

ABSTRACT Objective: To estimate the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and asthma, according to body mass index (BMI), as well as to evaluate factors associated with physician-diagnosed asthma, in individuals ≥ 40 years of age. Methods: This was a population-based cross-sectional study conducted in Florianópolis, Brazil, with probability sampling. Data were collected during home visits. Demographic data were collected, as were reports of physician-diagnosed asthma, respiratory symptoms, medications in use, and comorbidities. Anthropometric measurements were taken. Individuals also underwent spirometry before and after bronchodilator administration. Individuals were categorized as being of normal weight (BMI < 25 kg/m2), overweight (25 kg/m2 ≥ BMI < 30 kg/m2), or obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2). Results: A total of 1,026 individuals were evaluated, 274 (26.7%) were of normal weight, 436 (42.5%) were overweight, and 316 (30.8%) were obese. The prevalence of physician-diagnosed asthma was 11.0%. The prevalence of obesity was higher in women (p = 0.03), as it was in respondents with ≤ 4 years of schooling (p < 0.001) or a family income of 3-10 times the national minimum wage. Physician-diagnosed asthma was more common among obese individuals than among those who were overweight and those of normal weight (16.1%, 9.9%, and 8.0%, respectively; p = 0.04), as were dyspnea (35.5%, 22.5%, and 17.9%, respectively; p < 0.001) and wheezing in the last year (25.6%, 11.9%, and 14.6%, respectively; p < 0.001). These results were independent of patient smoking status. In addition, obese individuals were three times more likely to report physician-diagnosed asthma than were those of normal weight (p = 0.005). Conclusions: A report of physician-diagnosed asthma showed a significant association with being ≥ 40 years of age and with having a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2. Being obese tripled the chance of physician-diagnosed asthma.

RESUMO Objetivo: Estimar a prevalência de sintomas respiratórios e asma de acordo com o índice de massa corpórea (IMC) em indivíduos com idade ≥ 40 anos e avaliar os fatores associados ao relato de diagnóstico médico de asma. Métodos: Estudo transversal de base populacional realizado no município de Florianópolis (SC), com coleta domiciliar de dados e processo de amostragem probabilístico. Foram coletadas informações demográficas, assim como sobre relato de diagnóstico médico de asma, sintomas respiratórios, medicações em uso e comorbidades. Também foram realizadas medidas antropométricas e espirometria pré- e pós-broncodilatador. O IMC foi categorizado em normal (IMC < 25 kg/m2), sobrepeso (25 kg/m2 ≥ IMC < 30 kg/m2) e obesidade (IMC ≥ 30 kg/m2). Resultados: Foram avaliados 1.026 indivíduos, 274 (26,7%) com IMC normal, 436 (42,5%) com sobrepeso e 316 (30,8%) obesos. A prevalência de diagnóstico médico de asma foi de 11,0%. A prevalência de obesidade foi maior em mulheres (p = 0,03) e em entrevistados com escolaridade < 4 anos (p < 0,001) ou com renda familiar entre 3-10 salários mínimos. Obesos, quando comparados com aqueles com sobrepeso e peso normal, relataram mais frequentemente diagnóstico médico de asma (16,1%, 9,9% e 8,0%, respectivamente; p = 0,04), dispneia (35,5%, 22,5% e 17,9%, respectivamente; p < 0,001) e sibilos no último ano (25,6%, 11,9% e 14,6%, respectivamente; p < 0,001). Esses resultados foram independentes do status tabágico. Além disso, obesos tinham uma chance três vezes maior de relato de diagnóstico médico de asma do que não obesos (p = 0,005). Conclusões: Houve associação significativa entre o relato de diagnóstico médico de asma em indivíduos com idade ≥ 40 anos e IMC ≥ 30 kg/m2. Ser obeso triplicou a chance de diagnóstico médico de asma.

Temporal trends in the prevalence of asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis in adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the temporal trend of asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis prevalences as well as their symptoms in adolescents. METHODS: Two cross-sectional studies were conducted using the same methodology and questionnaire as was used for adolescents aged 12 to 14 years in the Brazilian city of Florianopolis, SC, Southern Brazil. Based on the international protocol of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) study, adolescents were evaluated in 2001 and 3,150 in 2012. The schools included in this study were the same as in the 2001 study. These schools were randomly selected after stratification by network (public and private) and geographic location. The total average percentage variation was estimated for the prevalence of asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis and their symptoms. RESULTS: The prevalence of reported asthma was 10.9% in 2001 and 14.8% in 2012, with an average variation of 2.8% in the period. The highest average variation in the period was observed among female adolescents (4.1%). In parallel a significant increase occurred in reported physician-diagnosed asthma, 7.3% in 2001 and 11,1% in 2012, with an annual variation of 4.5%. The largest increases in reported physician-diagnosed asthma were seen in female (5.9%) and male (4.5%) public school pupils. In addition, a significant increase in reported rhinoconjunctivitis occurred, with the average variation in the period being 5.2%. Reports of severe asthma symptoms remained unchanged during the period, while the annual variation for reported current wheezing (-1.3%) and wheezing during exercise (-1.2%) decreased. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed a significant increase in the annual average variation for asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis prevalence during the 2001 to 2012 period.

2020 Brazilian Thoracic Association recommendations for the management of asthma / Recomendações para o manejo da asma da Sociedade Brasileira de Pneumologia e Tisiologia - 2020

ABSTRACT The pharmacological management of asthma has changed considerably in recent decades, as it has come to be understood that it is a complex, heterogeneous disease with different phenotypes and endotypes. It is now clear that the goal of asthma treatment should be to achieve and maintain control of the disease, as well as to minimize the risks (of exacerbations, disease instability, accelerated loss of lung function, and adverse treatment effects). That requires an approach that is personalized in terms of the pharmacological treatment, patient education, written action plan, training in correct inhaler use, and review of the inhaler technique at each office visit. A panel of 22 pulmonologists was invited to perform a critical review of recent evidence of pharmacological treatment of asthma and to prepare this set of recommendations, a treatment guide tailored to use in Brazil. The topics or questions related to the most significant changes in concepts, and consequently in the management of asthma in clinical practice, were chosen by a panel of experts. To formulate these recommendations, we asked each expert to perform a critical review of a topic or to respond to a question, on the basis of evidence in the literature. In a second phase, three experts discussed and structured all texts submitted by the others. That was followed by a third phase, in which all of the experts reviewed and discussed each recommendation. These recommendations, which are intended for physicians involved in the treatment of asthma, apply to asthma patients of all ages.

RESUMO O manejo farmacológico da asma mudou consideravelmente nas últimas décadas, com base no entendimento de que a asma é uma doença heterogênea e complexa, com diferentes fenótipos e endótipos. Agora está claro que o objetivo do tratamento da asma deve ser alcançar e manter o controle da doença e evitar riscos futuros (exacerbações, instabilidade da doença, perda acelerada da função pulmonar e efeitos adversos do tratamento). Isso implica em uma abordagem personalizada, incluindo tratamento farmacológico, educação do paciente, plano de ação por escrito, treinamento para uso do dispositivo inalatório e revisão da técnica inalatória a cada visita ao consultório. Um painel de 22 pneumologistas brasileiros foi convidado a revisar criticamente evidências recentes de tratamento farmacológico da asma e a preparar esta recomendação, um guia de tratamento adaptado à nossa realidade. A escolha dos tópicos ou questões relacionadas às mudanças mais significativas nos conceitos e, consequentemente, no manejo da asma na prática clínica foi realizada por um painel de especialistas. Foi solicitado a cada especialista que revisasse criticamente um tópico ou respondesse a uma pergunta, com base em evidências, para estas recomendações. Numa segunda fase, três especialistas discutiram e estruturaram todos os textos submetidos pelos demais e, na última fase, todos revisaram e discutiram cada recomendação. As presentes recomendações se aplicam a adultos e crianças com asma e destinam-se a médicos envolvidos no tratamento da doença.