Adult Asthmatics Do Not Understand Their Disease

WASHINGTON — Nearly half (42%) of adult asthma patients incorrectly believed they could stop taking their controller medications when their symptoms subside, according to a recent survey.

Furthermore, even though 94% of patients indicated that they understood the difference between controller medications and quick-relief medications, 69% also believed that quick-relief medications could be taken on a daily basis.

The findings, from the General Awareness and Perceptions II (GAP II) survey, were presented in a poster at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.

According to the authors, led by Dr. Reynold A. Panettieri of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, the survey results underscore a need for more asthma education among both physicians and patients.

“It is never appropriate to stop or taper controlled asthma medication,” he said in an interview. “Asthma is a chronic disease that requires long-term control even when symptoms are not present.”

A total of 1,001 adult patients and 300 primary care physicians completed the survey between June 27 and Aug. 18, 2008. Among the physicians, 41% indicated that they treated 15 or more asthma patients per week, and 26% indicated that they had been in practice for more than 20 years. Among patients, the mean age was 47 years, slightly more than one-third had completed college or graduate study, and 62% used controller medications. A total of 59% used rescue medications.

The survey findings also revealed that 55% of patients believed their asthma was well-controlled if they logged just one emergency department visit per year, and 56% believed that their asthma could qualify as well controlled even with two urgent doctor visits per year. “It's important for patients to realize that regular visits to the emergency room do not indicate control and that they don't have to accept these visits as part of a life with asthma,” Dr. Panettieri said.

The survey results emphasize the need for strong patient-physician relationships.

The study was conducted under the auspices of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America with support from AstraZeneca.

WASHINGTON — Nearly half (42%) of adult asthma patients incorrectly believed they could stop taking their controller medications when their symptoms subside, according to a recent survey.

Furthermore, even though 94% of patients indicated that they understood the difference between controller medications and quick-relief medications, 69% also believed that quick-relief medications could be taken on a daily basis.

The findings, from the General Awareness and Perceptions II (GAP II) survey, were presented in a poster at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.

According to the authors, led by Dr. Reynold A. Panettieri of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, the survey results underscore a need for more asthma education among both physicians and patients.

“It is never appropriate to stop or taper controlled asthma medication,” he said in an interview. “Asthma is a chronic disease that requires long-term control even when symptoms are not present.”

A total of 1,001 adult patients and 300 primary care physicians completed the survey between June 27 and Aug. 18, 2008. Among the physicians, 41% indicated that they treated 15 or more asthma patients per week, and 26% indicated that they had been in practice for more than 20 years. Among patients, the mean age was 47 years, slightly more than one-third had completed college or graduate study, and 62% used controller medications. A total of 59% used rescue medications.

The survey findings also revealed that 55% of patients believed their asthma was well-controlled if they logged just one emergency department visit per year, and 56% believed that their asthma could qualify as well controlled even with two urgent doctor visits per year. “It's important for patients to realize that regular visits to the emergency room do not indicate control and that they don't have to accept these visits as part of a life with asthma,” Dr. Panettieri said.

The survey results emphasize the need for strong patient-physician relationships.

The study was conducted under the auspices of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America with support from AstraZeneca.

WASHINGTON — Nearly half (42%) of adult asthma patients incorrectly believed they could stop taking their controller medications when their symptoms subside, according to a recent survey.

Furthermore, even though 94% of patients indicated that they understood the difference between controller medications and quick-relief medications, 69% also believed that quick-relief medications could be taken on a daily basis.

The findings, from the General Awareness and Perceptions II (GAP II) survey, were presented in a poster at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.

According to the authors, led by Dr. Reynold A. Panettieri of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, the survey results underscore a need for more asthma education among both physicians and patients.

“It is never appropriate to stop or taper controlled asthma medication,” he said in an interview. “Asthma is a chronic disease that requires long-term control even when symptoms are not present.”

A total of 1,001 adult patients and 300 primary care physicians completed the survey between June 27 and Aug. 18, 2008. Among the physicians, 41% indicated that they treated 15 or more asthma patients per week, and 26% indicated that they had been in practice for more than 20 years. Among patients, the mean age was 47 years, slightly more than one-third had completed college or graduate study, and 62% used controller medications. A total of 59% used rescue medications.

The survey findings also revealed that 55% of patients believed their asthma was well-controlled if they logged just one emergency department visit per year, and 56% believed that their asthma could qualify as well controlled even with two urgent doctor visits per year. “It's important for patients to realize that regular visits to the emergency room do not indicate control and that they don't have to accept these visits as part of a life with asthma,” Dr. Panettieri said.

The survey results emphasize the need for strong patient-physician relationships.

The study was conducted under the auspices of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America with support from AstraZeneca.