[Translated article] Spanish Asthma Management Guidelines (GEMA) v.5.1. Highlights and Controversies.

In this fifth phase of development, the contents of the Spanish Asthma Management Guidelines (GEMA), which include versions 5.0 and 5.1, have undergone a thorough review. The aim here is to set the main changes in context. These could be summarized as follows: DIAGNOSIS: new FENO cut-off and severity classification based on treatment needed to maintain control; INTERMITTENT ASTHMA: a more restrictive concept and treatment extended to include a glucocorticoid/adrenergic combination as needed; MILD ASTHMA: glucocorticoid/adrenergic therapy as needed as an alternative in case of low therapeutic adherence to conventional fixed-dose steroids; SEVERE ASTHMA: readjustment of phenotypes, incorporation of triple therapy in a single inhaler, and criteria for selection of a biologic in severe uncontrolled asthma; OTHERS: specific scoring in childhood asthma, incorporation of certain organizational aspects (care circuits, asthma units, telemedicine), new sections on COVID-19 and nasal polyposis.

Guía española para el manejo del asma (GEMA) versión 5.1. Aspectos destacados y controversias / Spanish Asthma Management Guidelines (GEMA) VERSION 5.1. Highlights and Controversies

La quinta fase de la Guía Española para el Manejo del Asma (GEMA) que incluye las versiones 5.0 y 5.1, ha efectuado una profunda revisión de su contenido. El presente texto tiene como objetivo contextualizar los principales cambios. Estos se podrían resumir en: DIAGNÓSTICO: nuevo punto de corte de óxido nítrico en aire exhalado (FENO) y clasificación de gravedad basada en el tratamiento necesario para mantener el control; ASMA INTERMITENTE: concepto más restrictivo y tratamiento ampliado a combinación de glucocorticoide/adrenérgico a demanda; ASMA LEVE: tratamiento con glucocorticoide/adrenérgico a demanda como alternativa si baja adhesión terapéutica a esteroide fijo clásico; ASMA GRAVE: reajuste de los fenotipos, incorporación de la triple terapia en un solo inhalador y criterios para la selección del fármaco biológico en asma grave no controlada; OTROS: puntualizaciones concretas en asma infantil, incorporación de determinados aspectos organizativos (flujos entre niveles asistenciales, unidades de asma y telemedicina), nuevas secciones de COVID-19 y de poliposis nasal.

In this fifth phase of development, the contents of the Spanish Asthma Management Guidelines (GEMA), which include versions 5.0 and 5.1, have undergone a thorough review. The aim here is to set the main changes in context. These could be summarized as follows: DIAGNOSIS: new FENO cut-off and severity classification based on treatment needed to maintain control; INTERMITTENT ASTHMA: a more restrictive concept and treatment extended to include a glucocorticoid/adrenergic combination as needed; MILD ASTHMA: glucocorticoid/adrenergic therapy as needed as an alternative in case of low therapeutic adherence to conventional fixed-dose steroids; SEVERE ASTHMA: readjustment of phenotypes, incorporation of triple therapy in a single inhaler, and criteria for selection of a biologic in severe uncontrolled asthma; OTHERS: specific scoring in childhood asthma, incorporation of certain organizational aspects (care circuits, asthma units, telemedicine), new sections on COVID-19 and nasal polyposis.

Spanish Asthma Management Guidelines (GEMA) VERSION 5.1. Highlights and Controversies. / Guía española para el manejo del asma (GEMA) versión 5.1. Aspectos destacados y controversias.

In this fifth phase of development, the contents of the Spanish Asthma Management Guidelines (GEMA), which include versions 5.0 and 5.1, have undergone a thorough review. The aim here is to set the main changes in context. These could be summarized as follows: DIAGNOSIS: new FENO cut-off and severity classification based on treatment needed to maintain control; INTERMITTENT ASTHMA: a more restrictive concept and treatment extended to include a glucocorticoid/adrenergic combination as needed; MILD ASTHMA: glucocorticoid/adrenergic therapy as needed as an alternative in case of low therapeutic adherence to conventional fixed-dose steroids; SEVERE ASTHMA: readjustment of phenotypes, incorporation of triple therapy in a single inhaler, and criteria for selection of a biologic in severe uncontrolled asthma; OTHERS: specific scoring in childhood asthma, incorporation of certain organizational aspects (care circuits, asthma units, telemedicine), new sections on COVID-19 and nasal polyposis.

Recomendaciones de derivación del paciente adulto con crisis de asma desde el servicio de urgencias / Referral recommendations for adult emergency department patients with exacerbated asthma

El presente documento de consenso se ha desarrollado con el fin de proporcionar una herramienta útil para el manejo del paciente asmático que acude al servicio de urgencias (SU) con una crisis asmática. Incluye recomendaciones para tomar la decisión de alta o ingreso, así como indicaciones de derivación para el posterior seguimiento. Un equipo multidisciplinar, constituido por tres especialistas en medicina de urgencias, tres especialistas en neumología y tres especialistas en alergología, se encargó de elaborar una lista de preguntas clínicas que respondieron mediante la ayuda tanto de guías de práctica clínica, como de literatura disponible. Los contenidos y el reparto de tareas en diferentes grupos de trabajo se consensuaron en una reunión presencial. Los materiales resultantes se pusieron en común y sirvieron para la preparación del manuscrito final. Las recomendaciones y los algoritmos incluidos en el mismo van dirigidos a identificar y diagnosticar correctamente las exacerbaciones asmáticas en el SU y a establecer los criterios de hospitalización o alta. Se incluyen también las pautas para el tratamiento de los pacientes y para su derivación al ámbito de atención especializada en caso de alta, incluyendo los criterios de priorización para dicha derivación. El documento ha sido avalado por la Sociedad Española de Neumología y Cirugía Torácica (SEPAR), Sociedad Española de Alergología e Inmunología Clínica (SEAIC), y la Sociedad Española de Urgencias y Emergencias (SEMES)

This consensus paper's purpose is to provide a tool for managing emergency asthma exacerbations that require a decision to admit or discharge the patient. The paper also addresses where to refer the discharged patient for follow up. A multidisciplinary team of 3 emergency physicians, 3 specialists in respiratory medicine, and 3 allergy specialists were charged with drafting a list of clinical questions to answer by consulting practice guidelines and other resources in the literature. The specialists held a face-to-face meeting to distribute tasks and topics to working groups. The groups shared their reports, which provided the basis for drafting the final paper. The recommendations and flow charts included in the paper provide guidance for identifying and correctly diagnosing asthma exacerbations in the emergency department. Criteria for admission or discharge are incorporated. Treatment protocols and recommendations for referring discharged patients to specialists are addressed, along with criteria for priority referrals. The final consensus paper has been endorsed by the Spanish Society of Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery (SEPAR), the Spanish Society of Allergology and Clinical Immunology (SEAIC), and the Spanish Society of Emergency Medicine (SEMES)