Asia survey indicates patients underestimated asthma control

Recent survey data indicate that almost nine out of 10 patients with asthma in Asia overestimate their asthma control despite continued symptoms, according to a press release.

The REALISE Asia (Recognize Asthma and Link Symptoms and Experience) survey demonstrated that 89% of participating patients believed their asthma was well-controlled, based on guidelines published by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA), while only 18% displayed control of their asthma, according to the release.

Tan Tze Lee

“Across the region, patients consistently underestimate the seriousness of their asthma,” Tan Tze Lee, MBChB, MRCP, FRCP, adjunct assistant professor at National University Hospital and a member of the REALISE Asia Steering Committee, said in the release. “They are less likely to pay attention to symptoms when they are not severe, which has profound effects on their daily lives, including work and school performance.

“Patients could be managing their condition better, which would positively impact their quality of life. It’s important that they speak with their doctor about improving the control of their asthma.”

Researchers also found:

41% of participants failed to see the need for taking their medication regularly since they were not experiencing incapacitating symptoms or asthma attacks
almost 50% found inhaler use a nuisance
just 14% took their daily medication as prescribed
82% of respondents did not consider their asthma as serious
82% are confident in managing their asthma
72% said they can manage their condition with a doctor’s assistance

Asthma management was not a priority for many patients, the release said.

“The REALISE Asia study reveals that patient attitudes about asthma have a real and harmful effect on their health and their quality of life,” Lee said. “Patients who believe that they have their asthma under control will likely forego medications that would prevent severe asthma attacks from happening. Only by addressing patients’ attitudes about their condition can we create a targeted approach to improve asthma management and lower the burden of disease in Asia.”