Table 1. The categorization of asthma groups based on exacerbation and adherence to regular treatment.

Characteristics		Asthma with frequent exacerbations (UCT)†
		Yes	No
Regular treatment*
	Yes	SA	WC
	No	UT	IT

UCT, uncontrolled asthmatics; ICS, inhaled corticosteroids; LABA, long-acting β2-agonist; LTRA, leukotriene receptor antagonist; SABA, short-acting β2-agonist; SA, severe asthma; UT, untreated asthma; WC, well-controlled asthma; IT, intermittently treated asthma.

^*Regular treatment: i) a medium/high dose of ICS ≥ 3 canisters; ii) a medium/high dose of ICS/LABA ≥ 3 canisters; iii) LTRA ≥ 90 days; iv) xanthine ≥ 90 days. ^†Asthma with frequent exacerbations (UCT): i) SABA ≥ 2 canisters per year; ii) SABA nebulizer use for 3 consecutive days ≥ 2 times per year; iii) systemic corticosteroids burst > 2 times per year; iv) hospital admission for asthma ≥ 1 time per year.