Experts propose new definition of clinical remission in treatment of asthma

Reviewed by Lily Ramsey, LLMSep 12 2023

As an increasing number of improved asthma treatments are developed, a greater number of people with asthma are finding their symptoms under control. Their improved status raises an important question for healthcare providers (HCPs) who treat this condition: "What qualifies as clinical remission in the treatment of asthma?"

A panel of 11 experts in asthma care came together to review available literature to create a working definition. The panel included six allergists, three pulmonologists and two pediatricians. The paper outlining their recommendations is published in Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, the scientific journal of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.

As a group, we recognize that with the recent introduction of new biologic therapies for asthma treatment, the concept of disease remission has become something we can aspire to. To date, there is no standard, accepted definition for clinical remission on treatment in asthma. We see this document as a jumping-off point, and a template to allow for further clinical research. HCPs treating those with asthma can use this definition to generate needed data, and we expect the definition to evolve over time."

Michael Blaiss, MD, allergist, member of the workgroup and lead author of the paper

As the term "remission" has historically implied total control of asthma, without medication use, the workgroup proposed six criteria for asthma clinical remission on treatment. Of the six criteria, three had unanimous consent while the remaining three had factors that remain under consideration.

The following three criteria were unanimously agreed upon by members of the workgroup, who said they must be met over a 12-month period, and may be applied to those receiving monoclonal antibody therapy (biologic) for asthma:

1. No exacerbations requiring a physician visit, emergency care, hospitalization, and/or systemic corticosteroid for asthma (i.e., oral, injectable).
2. No missed work or school over a 12-month period due to asthma-related symptoms.
3. Stable and optimized pulmonary function results on all occasions, when measured over a 12-month period, with a minimum of two measurements during the year.

The remaining three criteria (found in the manuscript) deal with frequency of use of certain therapies as well as measures of asthma symptoms such as assessment questionnaires and/or tools.

"While this is a research tool, it also provides an aspirational goal to attempt a more prolonged control," says allergist John Oppenheimer, MD, a member of the workgroup and corresponding author of the paper. "This is achievable only in a subgroup of people with asthma, but it reinforces the need to optimize and adhere to medications and sets a goal that will hopefully be the catalyst for further research and asthma medication development. It is important to note the document does not address complete remission off medication. It is meant to be a higher standard than control in the asthma patient."

The statement is supported or endorsed by the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, the American Thoracic Society and the European Forum for Research and Education in Allergy and Airway Diseases.