An overview of the latest guidance for asthma in adults—part two: treatment

Asthma is a variable, long-term, inflammatory condition, characterised by breathlessness, cough, wheeze and chest tightness, usually in the presence of identified trigger factors. Despite the availability of effective therapies, over 1500 people died from an asthma attack in the UK in 2022, with thousands admitted to hospital with acute asthma each year. In November 2024, the British Thoracic Society, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and the Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline Network published the first conjoint guidance for asthma management, aiming to improve clarity and consistency in diagnosis and treatment. Part one of this two-part series provided an overview of the significant changes to the UK asthma guidelines relating to diagnosis in adults. This second instalment will discuss changes to treatment recommendations.