Asma en pediatría: consenso REGAP
- Luis Moral
- Maite Asensi Monzó
- Juan Carlos Juliá Benito
- Cristina Ortega Casanueva
- Natalia Marta Paniagua Calzón
- María Inmaculada Pérez García
- Carmen Rosa Rodríguez Fernández-Oliva
- José Sanz Ortega
- Laura Valdesoiro Navarrete
- José Valverde-Molina
ISSN: 1695-4033, 1696-4608
Year of publication: 2021
Volume: 95
Issue: 2
Pages: 125-125
Type: Article
More publications in: Anales de Pediatría: Publicación Oficial de la Asociación Española de Pediatría ( AEP )
Abstract
Asthma is one of the main chronic diseases in childhood, due to its high prevalence and its social and health costs. This document is a summary of a consensus guideline approved by 6 Spanish pediatric societies related to asthma and endorsed by the Spanish Pediatric Association. Asthma is easily identifiable by clinical criteria in most patients. Spirometry and other tests are helpful for diagnosis, especially in atypical cases. Asthma exacerbation is a frequent manifestation of the disease and must be identified and treated promptly. When asthma symptoms are frequent and the quality of life is affected, maintenance treatment must be instituted to achieve control of the disease. Low-dose inhaled corticosteroids are effective and safe for long-term use. Education of the patient with asthma is essential for good control. The main reason for poor asthma control is non-compliance with treatment, either due to its erratic and insufficient administration, or due to poor application technique of inhaled drugs. If control is not obtained despite adequate treatment, the diagnosis must be reconsidered, as well as the factors or comorbidities that make control difficult. Other drugs can be added to avoid high doses of inhaled corticosteroids, notably montelukast or long-acting β2 adrenergic agonists. Severe or difficult-to-control asthma, which does not respond to the usual treatments, should be managed in specialized units.