Consensus definition of clinical remission in asthma for the Japanese asthma prevention and management guidelines (JGL 2024): A modified delphi survey and comprehensive review
Hiroyuki Nagase, Norihiro Harada, Junichiro Tezuka, Masaki Futamura, Mizuho Nagao, Takumi Takizawa, Shigemi Yoshihara, Makoto Nagata, Akio Niimi, Masao Yamaguchi
Abstract
Clinical remission in asthma has gained prominence as both a therapeutic goal and a research endpoint, although its operational definitions have varied. To harmonize Japanese practice with emerging global frameworks, the Japanese Society of Allergology (JSA) conducted a two-round modified Delphi survey to establish a consensus definition for inclusion in the 2024 Asthma Prevention and Management Guidelines (JGL 2024). In Round 1 (January 2024), 81 JGL 2024 guideline committee members representing adult and pediatric specialties were invited. Seventy-four percent agreed that clinical remission should be defined, and 50 % supported including both on- and off-treatment remission. Four core components emerged: absence of exacerbations, well-controlled symptoms, no continuous oral corticosteroid use, and optimization of pulmonary function. Round 2 refined operational thresholds for symptom control, adopting ACT ≥23 (C-ACT ≥23 for children) and ACQ ≤0.75, consistent with JGL's long-standing goal of achieving a truly symptom-free state without reliever use. Pulmonary function was defined as "optimization," encompassing normalization where achievable and stabilization when normalization is unlikely (e.g., airway remodeling), which received strong agreement. Collaboration between adult and pediatric experts affirmed clinical remission as a milestone toward off-treatment remission and potential cure, broadening its applicability across severities and age groups. This review further summarizes evidence supporting remission as an outcome of biologic therapy, its key predictors (e.g., smoking, obesity, disease duration), pediatric perspectives, and future directions. JGL 2024 formally adopts these criteria, providing a rigorous and pragmatic framework to advance patient-centered asthma care and reframe management toward disease modification and eventual cure.