Update on asthma control in five European countries: results of a 2008 survey

Abstract

The 2006 European National Health and Wellness Survey (NHWS) showed that a large proportion of asthmatics had uncontrolled asthma. The current analysis estimated the prevalence of asthma and asthma control (Asthma Control Test™ (ACT); QualityMetric Inc., Lincoln, RI, USA) in five European countries using the 2008 NHWS. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL), using the Short Form-12 (SF-12) health survey, and work productivity/activity impairment were assessed.Of 3,619 respondents aged ≥18 yrs, the prevalence of self-reported physician diagnosis of asthma was 6.1% (15 million people); 56.6% of treated asthmatics were not well-controlled (NWC; ACT score ≤19). Individual components of the ACT showed that, compared with at least well-controlled patients (ALWC; ACT score ≥20), NWC patients had activity limitations at least some of the time (40.8%versus1.5%, pversus5.4%, pversus4.6%, pversus15.9%, pversus9.9%, pversus12.2%) and work impairment (15.4%versus30.0%) than NWC patients (both p<0.001).The proportion of asthmatics with NWC asthma has not improved since 2006. ALWC asthma is associated with a significant positive impact on healthcare resource use, HRQoL and work productivity.