Table 2.

Risk factors for poor asthma outcomes that increase the risk for exacerbation and may require stepped-up controller therapy.

Types of risk factors	Risk factors for exacerbations
Condition	(i) Uncontrolled asthma symptoms
Medications	(i) High SABA use (with increased mortality if >1 x 200-dose canister/month) (ii) Inadequate ICS or not prescribed ICS (iii) Poor adherence to ICS (iv) Incorrect inhaler technique
Comorbidities	(i) Obesity (ii) Chronic rhinosinusitis (iii) Gastroesophageal reflux disease (iv) Confirmed food allergy (v) Pregnancy
Exposures	(i) Smoking (ii) Allergen exposure if sensitized (iii) Air pollution (iv) Weather changes
Context	(i) Major psychologic or socioeconomic problems (ii) Low health literacy
Lung function	(i) Low FEV1, especially <60% predicted (ii) High bronchodilator reversibility
Other	(i) Other tests in patients with type 2 inflammation (e.g., blood eosinophils, elevated FeNO) (ii) Ever intubated or in ICU for asthma (iii) ≥1 severe exacerbations in last 12 months

FeNO: fractional exhaled nitric oxide; FEV₁: forced expiratory volume in 1 second; ICS: inhaled corticosteroid; ICU: intensive care unit; SABA: short-acting beta agonist.