Asthma Control in General Practice Quick Reference Guide

Asthma, a chronic disorder, usually presents in early childhood. The prevalence worldwide is increasing with Ireland having one of the highest levels. When uncontrolled, asthma can place a significant social and economic burden on the individual, their family and society.

What is GINA?
During the past two decades, we have witnessed many scientific advances that have improved our understanding of asthma and our ability to manage and control it effectively. International surveys, including those based in Ireland, provide direct evidence for suboptimal asthma control despite the availability of effective therapies.

In 1993, the US National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute in collaboration with the World Health Organisation presented a comprehensive plan to manage asthma with the goal of reducing chronic disability and premature deaths while allowing patients to lead productive and fulfilling lives. This Workshop Report: Global Strategy for Asthma Management and Prevention led to the implementation of the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA), a worldwide network of individuals, organisations, and public health officials to disseminate information about the care of patients with asthma while at the same time assuring a mechanism to incorporate the results of scientific investigations into asthma care using evidence-based knowledge.

In 2002, the GINA Report stated that "it is reasonable to expect that in most patients with asthma, control of the disease can, and should be achieved and maintained." To meet this challenge the updated GINA guidelines not only incorporated updated scientific information but implemented an approach to asthma management based on asthma control, rather than severity. In order for local implementation to be effective it was clear that it must involve physicians charged with the care of such patients from day to day.