A survey of 1,000 asthma sufferers found that controller medications are not used by 49% of children and adults with persistent asthma.

Results from the CHOICE (Comprehensive Survey of Healthcare Professionals and Asthma Patients Offering Insight on Current Treatment Gaps and Emerging Device Options) survey, the first of its kind, are published in the March 2012, issue of Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, the scientific journal of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI).

Lead author Gene Colice MD, of George Washington University School of Medicine, explained:

“According to survey results, 79 percent of these patients had persistent asthma and should have been on controllers. Of the 51 percent on controllers, 86 percent were inadequately treated as their asthma was not well or very poorly controlled.”

Results from the survey, which used standardized methods established in expert panel guidelines, showed the magnitude of poor asthma control currently in the United States.

Asthma is a common chronic inflammatory disease of the airways affecting 10% (7 million) children and 8% (17.5 million) adults. Each year, approximately 4,000 individuals die from asthma.

The worse the patient controls their asthma, the poorer their quality of life and the higher the risk for emergency department visits and hospitalizations. Results from the survey showed that feeling fearful, depressed, isolated and tired was reported more frequently by patients with severe persistent and uncontrolled asthma.

Co-author and ACAAI past president Michael Blaiss, MD, said:

“Uncontrolled asthma is severely affecting patients’ quality of life and increases the risk of emergency department visits and hospitalizations. Asthma sufferers need to schedule regular office visits, talk with their allergists about preventative controller therapy and then use those medications regularly.”

Studies have demonstrated that people with asthma receiving care of an allergist have better outcomes at a cheaper cost as a result of:

  • Less days missed from work or school
  • Less emergency care visits
  • Fewer hospitalizations
  • Increased productivity in their work and personal lives
  • Reduced duration of hospitalizations
  • Improved quality of life
  • Higher care satisfaction

To find an allergist, take a relief self-test to measure asthma symptoms, obtain a personalized plan on how to get relief and to find free community allergy screenings, click here.

Written by Grace Rattue