WASHINGTON, Oct. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Findings from one of the most extensive national surveys assessing awareness and attitudes toward asthma show a concerning difference between how well patients feel they have the disease under control and the impact asthma actually has on their daily life. The Asthma G.A.P. in America: General Awareness and Perceptions found that two-thirds of asthma patients surveyed report that they have their condition under control; however, over half report that they experience symptoms (such as shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, chest tightness and/or phlegm production) at least once a week. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) collaborated with AstraZeneca to serve as a presenting sponsor of the survey data. Detailed survey findings can be found at www.asthmagap.com.
“These survey findings illustrate the need for a better standard of control when it comes to managing asthma,” said Mike Tringale, Director of External Affairs, AAFA. “There is a large disconnect between what asthma patients are saying and how they are actually affected by their asthma every day, which calls for better education on how to properly control the disease.”
The routine management of asthma in those with the disease was also studied. Despite the fact that many asthma patients surveyed feel they have their asthma under control, they use rescue medication regularly. In fact, one in three report that in the past four weeks they had to use a rescue inhaler at least once a day.
“Using a rescue medication regularly is a sign that asthma is not properly controlled and you may be unnecessarily ailing from the disease. According to NAEPP (National Asthma Education and Prevention Program) respiratory guidelines, asthma patients should ideally use their rescue inhaler no more than twice a week,” said William E. Berger, MD, Division of Allergy and Immunology, University of California, Irvine. “Patients should talk to their doctor to evaluate their treatment regimen and find out if maintenance therapies are right for them.”
Asthma is one of the most serious chronic diseases in the United States. It is estimated that 20 million Americans have asthma, and despite the availability of treatments, it remains poorly controlled. The annual direct healthcare cost of asthma is approximately $10 billion; indirect costs (e.g., lost productivity) account for another $8 billion, for a total of $18 billion.
Asthma needs to be managed with controller medications — not just treated with a rescue medication when it gets out of control. A controller, or maintenance, medicine helps control inflammation and prevents the airways from reacting to asthma triggers so a person can breathe easier. Controller/maintenance medicines work best if taken every day, as prescribed by a physician. Maintenance therapies, which include newer combination asthma treatments such as SYMBICORT® (budesonide/formoterol fumarate dihydrate) Inhalation Aerosol, not only help control asthma symptoms, but also help to improve lung function. SYMBICORT delivers improved lung function within 15 minutes of the first dose and at subsequent doses, offering asthma patients the opportunity to experience control of their asthma symptoms. Administered twice daily, SYMBICORT is a combination of budesonide, an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS), and formoterol, a rapid and long-acting beta2-agonist (LABA) for patients 12 years of age and older. SYMBICORT does not replace fast-acting inhalers for sudden asthma attacks.
Asthma G.A.P. in America Key Survey Findings
The Asthma G.A.P. in America is one of the first asthma surveys to comprehensively study adults 18 years of age and older across states, gender and ethnicities to determine what gaps exist between awareness and perceptions regarding asthma. Survey findings show that asthma patients around the country have similar experiences with asthma, highlighting the fact that a better standard of control is needed on a national level, not just one area of the country.
Control
Although asthma patients recognize the options available to control the disease, they are not adapting their behavior appropriately to manage their asthma. Results from the survey revealed:
— Most asthma patients (59%) try to avoid taking medications whenever
possible, indicating that they are not properly controlling the disease
— One in three (33%) asthma patients use a rescue inhaler at least daily,
and 73% have used a rescue inhaler at least once in the last month
— Seven in 10 of all asthma patients surveyed (71%) would explore new
medications with their doctor if they heard about them
— More than half of asthma patients say asthma limits their usual
activities or enjoyment of everyday life to varying degrees
Control in Sub-Populations
The sub-groups surveyed included the Hispanic and African-American populations, as well as women. In addition, data was cut on a regional level. Among these groups, a higher percentage of women were diagnosed with asthma than men. In addition, the percentage of people who experienced asthma symptoms versus those who are diagnosed is startling.
— Among Hispanics, while only 8% of those surveyed report being diagnosed
with asthma, 58% report that they have experienced asthma symptoms. A
similar gap exists among African Americans; 13% report having been
diagnosed with asthma, while 58% report experiencing symptoms
— A majority of the female asthma patients (71%) would like to be able to
better control their asthma
— When asked about asthma control, only 26% of the female asthma patients
believed their asthma had been completely controlled in the past four
weeks
Survey Design/Methodology
Ipsos conducted the telephone survey on behalf of AstraZeneca and AAFA between January 22, 2007, and March 4, 2007, among 4,042 U.S. adults 18 years of age and older. This included a nationally representative probability sample of 2,029 Americans with or without asthma (849 men and 1180 women), and additional people were added to provide total samples of 510 African-Americans, 500 Hispanics and 616 asthma patients.
All survey data were weighted to reflect the demographic profile of Americans 18 years of age and older nationwide, in specific ethnic groups and/or of adult asthma patients, based on statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Results based on the sample of adults nationwide have a margin of error of +/-2.2 percentage points, with a 95% confidence level. The margin of error for the various sub-sample results is higher and varies.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
SYMBICORT (budesonide/formoterol fumarate dihydrate) Inhalation Aerosol is a controller medicine for the long-term maintenance of asthma for people 12 years and older whose doctor has decided are not well controlled on another asthma-controller medicine or need two asthma-controller medicines.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION ABOUT SYMBICORT
SYMBICORT won’t replace rescue inhalers for sudden symptoms. Do not take more than twice a day. While taking SYMBICORT, never use any other medicine containing a long-acting beta2-agonist (LABA).
SYMBICORT contains formoterol, a LABA. Medicines containing LABAs may increase the chance of asthma-related death. So, SYMBICORT should be used only if your healthcare provider decides another asthma-controller medicine alone does not control your asthma or you need two controller medicines.
If you are taking SYMBICORT, see your healthcare provider if your asthma does not improve or gets worse.
Some people may experience increased blood pressure, heart rate or changes in heart rhythm. Tell your doctor if you have a heart condition or high blood pressure.
If you are switching to SYMBICORT from an oral corticosteroid, follow your doctor’s instructions to avoid health risks when you stop using oral corticosteroids.
Avoid exposure to infections such as chicken pox or measles. Tell your healthcare provider immediately if you are exposed.
In clinical studies, common side effects included nose and throat irritation, headache, upper respiratory tract infection, sore throat, sinusitis and stomach discomfort.
For full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide, please visit www.mysymbicort.com.