Asthma control and management in 8,000 European patients: the REcognise Asthma and LInk to Symptoms and Experience (REALISE) survey

Abstract

Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases in the world, and previous studies have reported low levels of control. Recent developments in the availability and use of online sources of information about asthma might add to patients’ knowledge and help improve control. To investigate whether asthma control has improved by assessing levels of symptoms, exacerbations and Global Initiative for Asthma-defined control in a real-life population of patients who use the Internet and social media, as well as evaluate patient perception of control and attitudes to asthma. Online surveys were conducted among 8,000 patients with asthma (aged 18–50 years, ⩾2 prescriptions in the previous 2 years, use of social media) from 11 European countries. Levels of asthma control were low: 45% of respondents had uncontrolled asthma. Acute exacerbations were common: 44% of respondents reported having used oral steroids for asthma in the previous 12 months, 24% had visited an emergency department and 12% had been hospitalised. More than 80% of respondents (overall, and among those with a history of exacerbations) considered their asthma to be controlled. Of those who had an exacerbation requiring oral steroids, 75% regarded their asthma as not serious. Asthma control in Europe remains poor; symptoms and exacerbations are common. Many patients regard their asthma as controlled and not serious despite experiencing symptoms and exacerbations. There is a need to assess patients’ control, risk and inhaler technique, and to ensure that patients are prescribed, and take, appropriate treatments. Asthma control in Europe remains poor, with many patients overestimating how effectively they manage their symptoms. So finds the online REALISE survey, one of the largest analyses of European asthma patients' attitudes to their disease and its management. A team led by David Price of the University of Aberdeen in the UK surveyed 8,000 patients from 11 European countries. Only 55% of the respondents were estimated by researchers to have their symptoms under control. However, 80% of respondents considered their asthma to be controlled, with more than 75% reporting that they had either excellent or good knowledge about managing their symptoms. Given that the REALISE survey was restricted to patients who use the internet and social media, the results suggest that online sources of information about asthma control might benefit this sector of asthma sufferers.