Poor perceptions and expectations of asthma control: results of the International Control of Asthma Symptoms (ICAS) survey of patients and general practitioners.

AIMS

To assess current levels of asthma control and to identify barriers to optimal asthma management.

METHODS

A survey was conducted of 802 asthma patients (via computer-aided telephone interviewing) and 809 general practitioners (GPs; via the internet) from the UK, Italy, France, Germany, Spain, Canada and Australia.

RESULTS

Over three-quarters (82%) of patients surveyed reported an absence of asthma control, with the vast majority (80%) experiencing subsequent lifestyle restrictions. Although most (58%) GPs questioned believed that total asthma control was possible, half (52%) agreed that their patients were not achieving best possible asthma control.

CONCLUSIONS

Action is required to encourage patients to view their asthma more seriously and to be more proactive in reporting symptoms to their GP. These actions, coupled with greater prompting of patients by GPs about their asthma, should help to optimize asthma management.