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Insights, attitudes and perceptions about asthma and its treatment: Findings from a multinational survey of patients from 8 A sia‐ P acific countries and H ong K ong
Author(s) -
Thompson Philip J.,
Salvi Sundeep,
Lin Jiangtao,
Cho Young Joo,
Eng Philip,
Abdul Manap Roslina,
Boonsawat Watchara,
Hsu JengYuan,
Faruqi Rab A.,
MorenoCantu Jorge J.,
Fish James E.,
Ho James ChungMan
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
respirology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.857
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1440-1843
pISSN - 1323-7799
DOI - 10.1111/resp.12137
Subject(s) - medicine , asthma , china , family medicine , multinational corporation , asthma management , east asia , geography , archaeology , political science , law
Background and objective The A sthma I nsight and M anagement ( AIM ) survey was conducted in N orth A merica, E urope, the A sia‐ P acific region and L atin A merica to characterize patients’ insights, attitudes and perceptions about their asthma and its treatment. We report findings from the A sia‐ P acific survey. Methods Asthma patients (≥12 years) from A ustralia, C hina, H ong K ong, I ndia, M alaysia, S ingapore, S outh K orea, T aiwan and T hailand were surveyed. Patients answered 53 questions exploring general health, diagnosis/history, symptoms, exacerbations, patient burden, disease management, medications/treatments and patient's attitudes. The G lobal I nitiative for A sthma guidelines were used to assess asthma control. The survey was conducted by random digit telephone dialling ( A ustralia, C hina and H ong K ong) or by random face‐to‐face interviews ( I ndia, M alaysia, S ingapore, S outh K orea, T aiwan and T hailand). Results There were 80 761 households screened. Data from 3630 patients were collected. Wide disparity existed between objective measures of control and patient perception. Reported exacerbations during the previous year ranged from 19% ( H ong K ong) to 67% ( I ndia). Reported unscheduled urgent/emergency visits to a doctor's office/hospital/clinic in the previous year ranged from 15% ( H ong K ong) to 46% ( T aiwan). Patients who reported having controlled asthma in the previous month ranged from 27% ( S outh K orea) to 84% ( T aiwan). Substantial functional and emotional limitations due to asthma were identified by 13% ( S outh K orea) to 78% ( I ndia) of patients. Conclusions Asthma has a profound impact on patients’ well‐being despite the availability of effective treatments and evidence‐based management guidelines. Substantial differences across the surveyed countries exist, suggesting unmet, country‐specific cultural and educational needs. A large proportion of asthma patients overestimate their level of control.