Excerpt

The Expert Panel Report 3 (EPR 3): Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma was developed by an expert panel commissioned by the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) Coordinating Committee (CC), coordinated by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health.

Using the 1997 EPR 2 guidelines and the 2004 update of EPR 2 as the framework, the expert panel organized the literature review and final guidelines report around four essential components of asthma care, namely: assessment and monitoring, patient education, control of factors contributing to asthma severity, and pharmacologic treatment.

Contents

• Preface
• Acknowledgments and Financial Disclosures
• Acronyms and Abbreviations
• Section 1, Introduction
  • Overall Methods used to Develop this Report
  • References
• Section 2, Definition, Pathophysiology and Pathogenesis of Asthma, and Natural History of Asthma
  • Introduction
  • Definition of Asthma
  • Pathophysiology and Pathogenesis of Asthma
  • Natural History of Asthma
  • Implications of Current Information about Pathophysiology and Pathogenesis, and Natural History for Asthma Management
  • References
• Section 3, The Four Components of Asthma Management
  • Introduction
• Section 3, Component 1: Measures of Asthma Assessment and Monitoring
  • Introduction
  • Overview of Assessing and Monitoring Asthma Severity, Control, and Responsiveness in Managing Asthma
  • Diagnosis of Asthma
  • Initial Assessment: Characterization of Asthma and Classification of Asthma Severity
  • Periodic Assessment and Monitoring of Asthma Control Essential for Asthma Management
  • Referral to an Asthma Specialist for Consultation or Comanagement
  • References
• Section 3, Component 2: Education for a Partnership in Asthma Care
  • Key Points
  • Introduction
  • Asthma Self-Management Education at Multiple Points of Care
  • Tools for Asthma Self-Management
  • Establish and Maintain a Partnership
  • Provider Education
  • References
• Section 3, Component 3: Control of Environmental Factors and Comorbid Conditions that affect asthma
  • Key Points
  • Introduction
  • Inhalant Allergens
  • Occupational Exposures
  • Irritants
  • Comorbid Conditions
  • Other Factors
  • Primary Prevention of Allergic Sensitization and Asthma
  • References
• Section 3, Component 4: Medications
  • Introduction
  • Overview of the Medications
  • Complementary and Alternative Medicine
  • References
• Section 4, Managing Asthma Long Term: Overview
  • Key Points
  • Introduction
• Section 4, Managing Asthma Long Term in Children 0–4 Years of Age and 5–11 Years of Age
  • Diagnosis and Prognosis of Asthma in Children
  • Treatment: Principles of Stepwise Therapy in Children
  • Treatment: Pharmacologic Issues for Children 0–4 Years of Age
  • Treatment: Pharmacologic Steps for Children 0–4 Years of Age
  • Treatment: Special Issues for Children 5–11 Years of Age
  • Treatment: Pharmacologic Steps for Children 5–11 Years of Age
  • References
• Section 4, Managing Asthma Long Term in Youths ≥12 Years of Age and Adults
  • Key Points
• Section 4, Stepwise Approach for Managing Asthma in Youths ≥12 Years of Age and Adults
  • Treatment: Principles of Stepwise Therapy in Youths ≥12 Years of Age and Adults
  • Treatment: Pharmacologic Steps
  • References
• Section 4, Managing Asthma Long Term—Special Situations
  • Introduction
  • Exercise-Induced Bronchospasm
  • Surgery and Asthma
  • Pregnancy and Asthma
  • Racial and Ethnic Disparity in Asthma
  • References
• Section 5, Managing Exacerbations of Asthma
  • Key Points
  • Introduction
  • General Considerations
  • Treatment Goals
  • Home Management of Asthma Exacerbations
  • Prehospital Management of Asthma Exacerbations
  • Emergency Department and Hospital Management of Asthma Exacerbations
  • References