Newswise — A new survey released today indicates many people with asthma live with persistent symptoms and unnecessarily limit their daily activities, but consider their asthma “under control.” The OPEN Asthma Survey questioned people living with asthma who were treated with daily prescription medicine, as well as healthcare providers who treat patients with asthma.
“The survey results show that many people with asthma don’t fully understand what it means to live without asthma symptoms,” says allergist Bryan Martin, DO, president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI). “This opens the door for better communication between allergists, who are experts at controlling asthma, and their patients. It’s up to us to ask the right questions during visits, so we can work with them to reduce the effects asthma has on their daily lives.”
The health care providers surveyed believed that, on average, well-controlled patients should only be experiencing symptoms, such as wheezing, shortness of breath and daytime fatigue, about once a month. But the surveyed patients who said their asthma was well-controlled reported experiencing symptoms on a weekly basis. “They forget or have never known what it is really like to live without the burden of their asthma,” says Dr. Martin.
The survey also reveals a communication gap between patients and health care providers regarding conversations during routine office visits. Fewer than half of patients surveyed said they discuss symptoms, with less than one-third saying they discuss how asthma affects daily life, and even fewer discussing an asthma action plan. The majority of health care providers, however, report regularly discussing these same topics with their patients.
Dr. Martin is available to comment about the results of the OPEN Asthma Survey.
Feel free to let me know if I can arrange an interview for you. Thank you for your time.
Best,
Hollis
Hollis Heavenrich-Jones – Public Relations Manager – American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) – 847.427.1200 – [email protected]
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