MART in asthma management refers to what?

• A. A regimen where ICS-LABA is used as both daily controller and relief with a single inhaler
• B. Using SABA as needed only
• C. Using ICS without LABA
• D. Using oral steroids for flare

Answer: (A)

The idea behind MART is to use a single inhaler that combines an inhaled corticosteroid with a long-acting beta-agonist for both daily maintenance and as-needed relief. This means anti-inflammatory treatment and bronchodilation are available every time symptoms occur, so patients automatically receive anti-inflammatory coverage even when they reach for relief. Using an ICS-LABA inhaler in one device streamlines therapy and has been shown to improve control and reduce exacerbations compared with separate controller and reliever inhalers.

This differs from using a short-acting beta-agonist alone (which provides relief without anti-inflammatory action), from maintenance therapy with ICS alone (no LABA for bronchodilation during symptoms), or from systemic steroids for flare-ups (an acute, not regular, anti-inflammatory approach). The MART approach specifically matches the description of using an ICS-LABA inhaler for both daily control and as-needed relief in one inhaler.