When should sustained step-up therapy be considered?

Sustained step-up therapy should be considered when a patient has been uncontrolled for 2-3 months. This timeframe allows for a proper assessment of the patient's situation. Persistent symptoms despite appropriate therapy indicate that the current management strategy may not be sufficient. When a patient is not adequately controlled, it prompts the need to evaluate and enhance the treatment plan.

Long-term control of conditions like asthma and allergic rhinitis is crucial, and a duration of 2-3 months of persistent symptoms suggests that the therapeutic approach is not effective. Simply ensuring adherence or considering symptoms only during certain seasons does not provide a comprehensive assessment of the need for therapy adjustment. Consequently, it is critical to monitor the patient’s condition over time, and if there is a lack of control during this period, an increase in therapy is warranted to achieve better outcomes.