Criteria to identify patients at risk of severe asthma

Quality prescribing strategy for respiratory: a guide for improvement
Scottish Government Effective Prescribing & Therapeutics Division
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≥6 SABA prescriptions in previous 12 months

or

≥2 asthma exacerbations / OCS prescriptions in previous 12 months

or

ACQ6 >1.5 (or ACT <20) despite maximum inhaled therapies (ICS and LABA and LAMA)26,37

 

Modifiable risk factors such as smoking status, inhaler technique, adherence and housing conditions should be addressed and a referral made where asthma control remains suboptimal.38 The Scottish Therapeutic Utility (STU) software will aid identification of these patients within GP practices.