Classification of asthma

Moderate persistent asthma

Asthma is considered moderate persistent if without treatment any of the following are true:

• Symptoms occur daily. Inhaled short-acting asthma medication is used every day.
• Attacks:
  • Interfere with daily activities.
  • Occur 2 or more times per week and may last for days.
• Nighttime symptoms occur more than 1 time a week.
• Lung function tests are abnormal (more than 60% to less than 80% of the expected value), and PEF varies more than 30% from morning to afternoon.

Severe persistent asthma

Asthma is considered severe persistent if without treatment any of the following are true:

• Symptoms:
  • Occur all the time during the day.
  • Limit daily physical activities.
• asthma attacks occur frequently.
• Nighttime symptoms occur frequently.
• Lung function tests are abnormal (60% or less of expected value), and PEF varies more than 30% from morning to afternoon.

If you or your child has persistent asthma (mild, moderate, or severe) and is receiving appropriate therapy, the goal of treatment should be to control symptoms so that they occur only as frequently as those of mild intermittent asthma.

Citations

1. National Institutes of Health (1997). Expert Panel Report 2: Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma. Clinical Practice Guidelines (NIH Publication No. 97-4051). Bethesda, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

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