18 Sep 2007 06:00 PM
International Survey Shows The Majority Of Asthma Patients Are Still Uncontrolled
Data from an international survey presented at the European Respiratory
Society Congress in Stockholm, Sweden, have shown that the majority of patients
with asthma are uncontrolled, despite frequent visits to their doctor.1,2 Results from
the National Health and Wellness Survey (NHWS) show that, although control has
improved amongst adult asthma patients since the Asthma Insights and Realities in
Europe (AIRE) study in 1999,3 overall 55% of treated asthma patients are still not
well controlled.1,2
The NHWS was conducted in 5 countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK) between June and August 2006 and surveyed 2,337 patients with diagnosed asthma of which 1,862 were receiving treatment. Additional findings from the survey showed that patients with asthma who were not well controlled had a high symptom burden, including 70% having shortness of breath 3-6 times a week, 80% using rescue medication 2-3 times a week and 58% waking once a week due to asthma symptoms. In addition these patients use more healthcare resources and visit their doctors more frequently.1,2
A finding consistent with the 1999 AIRE study is that patients overestimate their own level of asthma control.3 The NHWS found 40% of not well controlled asthma patients consider themselves to be completely or well controlled, despite their symptoms. This may mean that patients are unnecessarily suffering from symptoms of asthma that can be better controlled.1,2
Professor Pascal Demoly, Professor of Pulmonology, Montpellier School of Medicine, France commented: "These new results highlight the need for physicians to assess objectively their patients' asthma control.4 With patients themselves having a poor perception of their own symptoms, it can be very difficult for the doctor to make an accurate assessment. And the simple question whether or not the patient's asthma is "OK" is not sufficient. Tools such as the Asthma Control Test have been highlighted in global guidelines as a validated measure for assessing clinical control of asthma.5,6 These can help doctors and patients to assess better their asthma, enabling effective management to achieve and maintain control, as recommended by the global guidelines.4"
The population based cross-sectional survey was administered via questionnaire to a sample of individuals drawn from an Internet panel. Questions from the Asthma Control Test (ACTTM) questionnaire were used to assess the level of asthma control. ACTTM contains five asthma-specific questions to determine level of asthma control that have been validated,5,6 and it is recognised in the most recent…
The NHWS was conducted in 5 countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK) between June and August 2006 and surveyed 2,337 patients with diagnosed asthma of which 1,862 were receiving treatment. Additional findings from the survey showed that patients with asthma who were not well controlled had a high symptom burden, including 70% having shortness of breath 3-6 times a week, 80% using rescue medication 2-3 times a week and 58% waking once a week due to asthma symptoms. In addition these patients use more healthcare resources and visit their doctors more frequently.1,2
A finding consistent with the 1999 AIRE study is that patients overestimate their own level of asthma control.3 The NHWS found 40% of not well controlled asthma patients consider themselves to be completely or well controlled, despite their symptoms. This may mean that patients are unnecessarily suffering from symptoms of asthma that can be better controlled.1,2
Professor Pascal Demoly, Professor of Pulmonology, Montpellier School of Medicine, France commented: "These new results highlight the need for physicians to assess objectively their patients' asthma control.4 With patients themselves having a poor perception of their own symptoms, it can be very difficult for the doctor to make an accurate assessment. And the simple question whether or not the patient's asthma is "OK" is not sufficient. Tools such as the Asthma Control Test have been highlighted in global guidelines as a validated measure for assessing clinical control of asthma.5,6 These can help doctors and patients to assess better their asthma, enabling effective management to achieve and maintain control, as recommended by the global guidelines.4"
The population based cross-sectional survey was administered via questionnaire to a sample of individuals drawn from an Internet panel. Questions from the Asthma Control Test (ACTTM) questionnaire were used to assess the level of asthma control. ACTTM contains five asthma-specific questions to determine level of asthma control that have been validated,5,6 and it is recognised in the most recent…
