Ernstig astma bij volwassenen

Conflict of interest and financial support: disclosure forms provided by the authors are available along with the full text of this article at www.ntvg.nl, search for A6232; click on ‘Belangenverstrengeling’ (‘Conflict of interest’).

• The Dutch guideline ‘Diagnostics and treatment of severe asthma’ provides recommendations on the diagnosis and treatment of patients older than18 years with severe asthma.

• A checklist was developed to determine which diagnostic trajectory should be implemented in patients with ‘difficult to treat asthma’ before the diagnosis of ‘severe asthma’ can be made.

• Evidence-based recommendations are made in accordance with the GRADE method, with regard to additional treatment on top of the standard treatment of high dosages of inhaled corticosteroids combined with long-acting beta2 agonists.

• Furthermore, recommendations are made on the monitoring and follow-up of patients with severe asthma and on the setting up of specialized centres for patients suffering from severe asthma.

• This guideline is primarily meant for pulmonologists. However, it may also be useful for other disciplines involved in the care for patients with asthma.