[Chinese expert consensus on the diagnosis and management of severe asthma (2024 edition)].

Abstract

Severe asthma is the main cause of disability and death in patients with asthma, with a high risk of future disease, but also caused serious social and economic burden. The pathophysiological mechanisms such as obvious heterogeneity of airway inflammation, severe airway remodeling, influence of genetic factors, decreased glucocorticoid responsiveness, and many factors affecting asthma control make the treatment of severe asthma particularly difficult. In recent years, with the deepening of the understanding of the pathogenesis of asthma, especially the development of biologics targeting type 2 inflammation, a new approach has been opened up for the treatment of patients with severe asthma. How to correctly diagnose and evaluate severe asthma patients and how to choose treatment are still the perplexity and challenge in clinical practice. This expert consensus is based on the "Chinese Expert Consensus on the Diagnosis and Management of Severe Asthma" published in 2017 and combined with the latest research progress at home and abroad, and is updated on the definition, pathogenesis, diagnosis and evaluation, and treatment of severe asthma, especially the treatment recommendation for type 2 inflammatory biologics, so as to provide reference for the individualized diagnosis and treatment of severe asthma.