Severe asthma in adolescents: Clinical implications and beyond

Severe asthma affects about 6.7% of adolescents worldwide, posing a substantial burden on their physical and psychosocial well-being. The impact of severe asthma on adolescents is multifaceted, with several factors that contribute to this burden, such as comorbidities including obesity, dysfunctional breathing, sleep-disordered breathing and mental health issues. Moreover, daily therapy management is often complex and may require lifestyle modification that could lead to a failure in treatment adherence and to peer-related stressors such as feelings of exclusion. Furthermore, adolescents with severe asthma are prone to risk-taking behaviours, including vaping and substance misuse. While current management strategies often fail to account for their developmental stage, digital technologies offer novel solutions to improve disease management. This narrative review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the multifaceted impact of severe asthma on adolescents, addressing the main clinical management issues and exploring the role of innovative digital tools to enhance asthma management in this critical population.