Based on the severity of symptoms, the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) has grouped asthma into 4 categories – mild intermittent, mild persistent, moderate persistent, and severe persistent. This classification system is used to help guide treatment.
Mild Intermittent Asthma:
Does not impact normal daily life
- Symptoms occur less than 2 days per week.
- Broken sleep due to shortness of breath less than twice a month.
- Need to use rescue inhaler less than twice a month.
- FEV1 (forced expiratory volume 1) is normal.
Mild Persistent Asthma:
Has minimal impact on normal daily life
- Symptoms occur more than 2 days per week, but not every day.
- Broken sleep due to shortness of breath more than twice a month.
- Need to use rescue inhaler more than twice a month.
- FEV1 >80% predicted.
Moderate Persistent Asthma:
Has some impact on normal daily life
- Symptoms occur daily.
- Broken sleep due to shortness of breath more than once a week.
- Need to use rescue inhaler daily.
- FEV1 60-80% predicted.
Severe Persistent Asthma:
Daily life impacted by symptoms
- Symptoms occur multiple times a day.
- Broken sleep due to shortness of breath on most nights.
- Need to use rescue inhaler several times a day.
- FEV1 <60% predicted.
