Volume 14 Issue 5 October 2005
Poor perceptions and expectations of asthma control: Results of the
International Control of Asthma Symptoms (ICAS) survey of patients and
general practitioners
Page 252-258
David Bellamy, Tim Harris
Abstract
AIMS: To assess current levels of asthma control and to identify barriers to optimal asthma management. METHODS: A survey was conducted of 802 asthma patients (via computeraided telephone interviewing) and 809 general practitioners (GPs; via the internet) from the UK, Italy, France, Germany, Spain, Canada and Australia. RESULTS: Over three-quarters (82%) of patients surveyed reported an absence of asthma control, with the vast majority (80%) experiencing subsequent lifestyle restrictions. Although most (58%) GPs questioned believed that total asthma control was possible, half (52%) agreed that their patients were not achieving best possible asthma control. CONCLUSIONS: Action is required to encourage patients to view their asthma more seriously and to be more proactive in reporting symptoms to their GP. These actions, coupled with greater prompting of patients by GPs about their asthma, should help to optimize asthma management.
Cite as: Bellamy D, Harris T. Poor perceptions and expectations of asthma control: Results of the
International Control of Asthma Symptoms (ICAS) survey of patients and
general practitioners. Prim Care Respir J 2005;14(5):252-258. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pcrj.2005.04.003
