National survey reveals gap in ‘uncontrolled asthma’ knowledge
WASHINGTON A new nationwide telephone survey of 1,001 patients released Wednesday found that while 66% of asthma patients considered asthma a serious condition, the majority of the 21% who reported discontinuing taking an asthma controller medicine did so because they incorrectly believed their asthma was controlled.
“This survey shows there’s an alarming divide between what people know about their asthma and the actions they take to achieve optimal control of their asthma symptoms,” stated Mike Tringale, director of external affairs for the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, which conducted the survey with support from AstraZeneca. “Part of the problem may be that many patients believe their asthma is under control once they’re no longer experiencing symptoms. Asthma patients can take action to better manage their asthma symptoms through appropriate treatment, tools and resources.”
People with asthma suffer from chronic lung inflammation (swelling), which, if left untreated, can lead to progressive loss of lung function and other severe consequences. Nearly 42% of patients surveyed incorrectly believe that when asthma symptoms subside, their controller medicine can be taken less regularly. For those with persistent asthma, a controller, or maintenance medication, helps manage chronic lung inflammation. When taken over the long-term, asthma controller medications are shown to not only help control asthma symptoms, but also help to improve lung function. Of the patients taking a controller medication, nearly all (93%) of patients indicate that controller medications work best when taken every day.
The survey also found that 87% of physicians think their patients stop their asthma controller medications without their advice.
“There is a clear need for more physician-to-patient education about asthma control and appropriate therapies,” stated Reynold Panettieri from the University of Pennsylvania and an author of the study. “The first step to asthma control is for patients and physicians to create an asthma action plan, which may include a controller therapy.”
Asthma, considered one of the most serious chronic diseases in the United States, affects more than 22 million Americans. In 2004, sudden uncontrolled asthma episodes accounted for an estimated 1.8 million emergency room visits and nearly 500,000 hospitalizations. Current asthma management guidelines from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute note that properly controlled asthma is marked by patients being able to carry out all normal day-to-day activities, a decrease in weekly symptoms (no more than two times per week) and a decrease in yearly asthma attacks (no more than one attack per year which required oral corticosteroid therapy).