Updates in Asthma Management

Asthma remains one of the most prevalent chronic respiratory conditions affecting individuals across all age groups. Despite advancements in treatment, many patients continue to experience poorly controlled symptoms, leading to frequent exacerbations and a diminished quality of life. This comprehensive CME activity is designed to enhance healthcare professionals’ understanding of asthma pathophysiology, classification, and evidence-based treatment strategies. The course focuses specifically on the 2020 Focused Updates to the Asthma Management Guidelines, offering updated clinical practices relevant to both pediatric and adult patients. Participants will learn about the role of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) in monitoring airway inflammation and strategies for mitigating indoor allergens. It also explores the stepwise approach to asthma management, highlighting age-specific treatment variations and emphasizing the importance of using intermittent inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting muscarinic antagonists. Additionally, the program covers emerging therapies such as sublingual and subcutaneous immunotherapy for allergic asthma and explores bronchial thermoplasty as an option for severe cases. This course is essential for clinicians involved in asthma management who seek to optimize outcomes and apply the most recent evidence to daily practice.

Educational Objectives

• Explain the 2020 Focused Updates in the stepwise asthma management approach for various age groups.
• Understand the role and interpretation of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) in asthma management.
• Apply recommendations for indoor allergen mitigation to reduce asthma triggers.
• Identify clinical indications and uses for intermittent inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting muscarinic antagonists.
• Describe evidence-based guidance for using sublingual and subcutaneous immunotherapy in allergic asthma treatment.
• Assess the role of bronchial thermoplasty for improving outcomes in patients with severe allergic asthma.
• Review asthma pathophysiology, definition, and updated classification criteria.

Who Should Do This Course

This course is designed for healthcare professionals involved in diagnosing and managing asthma, including:

• Physicians (especially those in Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Pulmonology, and Allergy & Immunology)
• Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and Registered Nurses (RNs)
• Physician Assistants (PAs)

It is especially beneficial for professionals practicing in primary care, family-centered care, and those managing pediatric and adult patients with allergic or chronic respiratory conditions.

Did You Know?

• Asthma affects over 25 million people in the United States, including more than 5 million children. (CDC, 2022)
• Hospitalization rates for asthma are highest among children aged 5–14 years. (NIH, 2021)
• Patients with uncontrolled asthma are four times more likely to miss school or work. (American Lung Association, 2023)
• FeNO testing helps identify eosinophilic airway inflammation, improving treatment targeting in asthma. (ATS Guidelines, 2020)
• Inhaled corticosteroids remain the most effective long-term control therapy for persistent asthma. (GINA, 2022)