When NICE published its asthma guidelines, the Primary Care Respiratory Society UK expressed concern that NG80 “could create uncertainty for primary care clinicians, because in some areas they recommend a different approach to the BTS/SIGN guideline.”8

Soon after, the BTS produced a clinical response to the NICE Guidelines comparing the BTS/SIGN guidelines with NG80 and putting into context why certain recommendations were made.9,10

The BTS has further announced that it is working with SIGN on the next update of the BTS/SIGN British guideline on the management of asthma, expected in December 2018.9

It means that, for the time being at least, differences of approach exist. However, NG80 points out: “Where the recommendations represent a change from traditional clinical practice, people whose asthma is well controlled on their current treatment should not have their treatment changed purely to follow this guidance.”2