Symptoms / indicators

Mild

Moderate

Severe and / or life-threatening

Wheeze, tightness, cough, dyspnoea

Occasional
(e.g. with viral infection or exercise)

Most days

Every day

Nocturnal symptoms

Absent

<once/week

>once/week

Asthma symptoms on wakening

Absent

<once/week

>once/week

Hospital admission or ED attendance in past year (for adults)

Absent

Usually not

Usually

Previous life-threatening attack (ICU or ventilator)

Absent

Usually not

May have a history

Bronchodilator use

< twice/week

Most days

>3 to 4 times/day

FEV 1 (% predicted)

>80%

60–80%

<60%

Peak flow on waking (% recent best)

>90%

80–90%

<80%