Consenso chileno SOCHINEP-SER para el diagnóstico y tratamiento del asma en el adolescente

Abstract

Asthma is a chronic disease that affects millions of people worldwide. Among all asthmatics, ado­lescents constitute an exceptional and vulnerable group. At this age, profound biopsychosocial changes occur, marking the transition from childhood to adulthood. Managing asthma in adolescents poses a significant challenge for physicians due to the changing approach required for this chronic condition. Attitudes of denial or rebellion complicate management, with one of the most important issues being poor adherence to maintenance treatment, which directly affects disease control. During childhood, asthma treatment is usually the responsibility of parents or caregivers but in adolescence, it becomes the patient’s responsibility, who gradually must assume their commitments regarding the disease. In this consensus, we will address the diagnosis and management of adolescents with asthma in-depth, emphasizing the particular characteristics of this challenging group of patients.