Persistent Asthma and the Role of Contextual Care in Family Medicine Practice

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.35790/ngqgwr94

Keywords:

asthma; family medicine; holistic health; primary care; chronic inflammatory disease

Abstract

Abstract: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease with symptoms influenced by biological, environmental, and psychosocial factors. We reported a 48-year-old woman with persistent uncontrolled asthma presenting with daily and nocturnal symptoms, activity limitation, and recurrent exacerbations. Spirometry demonstrated severe obstructive impairment with mild restriction (FEV₁ 30%, FEV₁/FVC 35%), indicating advanced disease progression. The patient was managed holistically through pharmacological therapy following the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) 2024 guidelines and non-pharmacological strategies including education, lifestyle changes, stress control, family support, and environmental modification. After implementing family medicine interventions, the patient demonstrated improved symptom control, reduced nocturnal asthma attacks, better treatment adherence, improved sleep quality, and increased awareness regarding trigger avoidance and environmental hygiene. In conclusion, this case emphasizes the importance of contextualized family medicine in asthma care.

Keywords: asthma; family medicine; holistic health; primary care; chronic inflammatory disease

Author Biographies

  • Mir A. Dzikro, Universitas Pembangunan Nasional “Veteran”

    Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Pembangunan Nasional “Veteran”, Surabaya, Indonesia

  • Rifda El Mahroos, Universitas Pembangunan Nasional “Veteran”

    Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Pembangunan Nasional “Veteran”, Surabaya, Indonesia

  • Prasetyaning E. Pratiwi, Universitas Pembangunan Nasional “Veteran”

    Department of Internal Medicine, Universitas Pembangunan Nasional “Veteran”, Surabaya, Indonesia

References

1. Global Initiative for Asthma. Global strategy for asthma management and prevention [Internet]. 2024 [cited 2025 Oct 18]. Available from: https://ginasthma.org/2024-report/

2. Goldin J, Hashmi MF, Cataletto ME. Asthma. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 [cited 2025 Oct 18]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430901/

3. Lizzo JM, Goldin J, Cortes S. Pediatric asthma. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 [cited 2025 Oct 18]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551631/

4. Yuan L, Tao J, Wang J, She W, Zou Y, Li R, et al. Global, regional, and national burden of asthma from 1990 to 2021, with projections of incidence to 2050: a systematic analysis of the global burden of disease study 2021. EClinicalMedicine. 2025;80:103051. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2024.103051

5. Romero-Mesones C, Ojanguren Í, Espejo D, Granados G, González-Barcala F, Cruz M, et al. Influence of the environment on the characteristics of asthma. Sci Rep. 2022;12(1):21654. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-25028-1

6. Shao M, Liu Z, Liu T. Effects of family-supported healthcare on children with asthma. Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2024;20:427-36. Doi: https://doi.org/10.2147/TCRM.S464826

7. Putera AM, Octaviana DS, Gunawan F, Kunigara MP, Rahmatsani JN, Kurniawati L, et al. Holistic management of pediatric patients with asthma through the family medicine approach: a case series. J Respir. 2023;9(3):229-36. Doi: https://doi.org/10.20473/jr.v9-i.3.2023.229-236

8. Haynes JM. Basic spirometry testing and interpretation for the primary care provider. Can J Respir Ther. 2018;54(4):10. Doi: https://doi.org/10.29390/cjrt-2018-017

9. Majellano EC, Clark VL, Winter NA, Gibson PG, McDonald VM. Approaches to the assessment of severe asthma: barriers and strategies. J Asthma Allergy. 2019;12:235-51. Doi: https://doi.org/10.2147/JAA.S178927

10. Kusnanto H, Agustian D, Hilmanto D. Biopsychosocial model of illnesses in primary care: a hermeneutic literature review. J Family Med Prim Care. 2018;7(3):497-500. Doi: https://doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_145_17

11. Kuder MM, Clark M, Cooley C, Prieto-Centurion V, Danley A, Riley I, et al. A systematic review of the effect of physical activity on asthma outcomes. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2021;9(9):3407-21.e8. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaip.2021.04.048

12. El Abed H, Ragala M, Ait-taleb Lahsen H, Halim K. Impact of therapeutic education on asthma control, medication adherence, knowledge and quality of life in Moroccan adult asthma patients. Open Public Health J. 2023;16:e187494452306273. Doi: https://doi.org/10.2174/18749445-v16-230714-2023-121

13. Pham DL, Le KM, Truong DDK, Le HTT, Trinh THK. Environmental allergen reduction in asthma management: an overview. Front Allergy. 2023;4:1229238. Doi: https://doi.org/10.3389/falgy.2023.1229238

Downloads

Published

2026-08-24

How to Cite

Persistent Asthma and the Role of Contextual Care in Family Medicine Practice. (2026). Medical Scope Journal, 8(2), 337-342. https://doi.org/10.35790/ngqgwr94