VA DOD Updates Asthma Framework - Takeaways - MDSpire

VA DOD Updates Asthma Framework

The 2025 US Department of Veterans Affairs and US Department of Defense asthma guideline introduces 21 evidence-based recommendations for primary care, redefining stepwise treatment, comorbidity management, and reliever strategy.

  • By

  • Kathryn Wighton

  • February 17, 2026

  • 4 min

Share

  • 1

    The VA and DoD released a 2025 guideline for asthma management, emphasizing anti-inflammatory strategies over symptom-driven therapies.

  • 2

    The updated guideline recommends inhaled corticosteroid-containing reliever strategies, moving away from short-acting beta-agonist-only therapy.

  • 3

    Single-device maintenance and reliever therapy (SMART) significantly reduced severe asthma exacerbations by about one-third in trials.

  • 4

    Management of comorbidities, such as obesity and gastroesophageal reflux disease, is highlighted to improve asthma control.

  • 5

    The guideline suggests a combination of ICS and rapid-onset LABA for asthma control and relief, streamlining treatment approaches.

Original Source(s)

VA DOD Updates Asthma Framework

  • by Kathryn Wighton

  • February 17, 2026

Related Content

Sex Disparities May Persist in CF Despite Modulators

Review findings suggested female patients with cystic fibrosis may continue to experience worse pulmonary outcomes despite highly effective modulator therapy

FDA Expands Guselkumab Label in PsA

Phase 3b APEX findings support the addition of structural joint damage inhibition data to the prescribing information.

FDA OKs Linaclotide in Young Children

Phase 3 data expanded use of linaclotide 72 mcg in pediatric functional constipation.