Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Patient Concerns Regarding Asthma, COPD and Regular Therapies: Results from a European Survey

Dario Olivieri, MD1, Alessio Amadasi2*, Andrea Bizzi2, Serena Paciotli2 and Martyn R. Partridge, MD3
1Dpt Clinical Sciences, Section of Respiratory Diseases, University of Parrna and scientific Committe Chiesi Foundation, Parma, Italy.
2Dpt. stiennfit Affairs, Chiesi Farmceutici Spa, Parma, Italy and 3 Imperial College London, N HLI Division at Charing Cross Hospital, London, United Kingdom
*Address for correspondence: a.amadasi@chiesgroup.com



Compliance with medication is often a problem in the management of longterm conditions such as asthma and COPD and this may reflect patients’ misconceptions regarding treatment, or undiscussed fears and concerns. The aim of the present study was to better understand patients’ view regarding their condition and regular therapy.

METHODS

A questionnaire-based survey was performed utilizing computer-assisted web interviews (CAWI) with 1022 patients with asthma and 719 patients with COPD in 5 European Countries.

Patient Concerns Regarding Asthma, COPD and Regular Therapies

Demographic characteristics of the respondents were determined in terms of age, sex, educational level, time since diagnosis and current therapy. The level of asthma control and of COPD severity were also assessed through the Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ; 6-item version with FEV1 question omitted) and the modified Medical Research Council (MRC) dyspnoea score, respectively.

 

CONCLUSIONS

Despite availability of effective medications, there is still significant impairment ofquality of life among those with asthma and COPD, with more than half ofthem reporting fears of seasonal worsening and about two thirds of COPD patients reporting strong limitations in physical activity. The data collected in the present study suggest that fears and misconceptions about regular therapy and low perception of immediate benefits are barriers that need to be addressed in order to improve adherence.

The survey has been executed by Kantar Health and supported by Chiesi Foundation

GENERAL CONFLICTS OF INTERESTS

DO has received honoraria forlecturing or ad hoc consultancies from Chiesi, GSK, OH Pharma, Pierre-Fabre, Boehringer lngelheim and Pfizer He has received research support from GSK, Zambon, Chiesi, Italian Ministry of Health and Italian Ministry for University and Research. AA, AB and SP are employees of Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A.

MRP has received honoraria for lecturing or ad hoc consultancies from AstraZeneca, Chiesi, GSK, Boehringen Cipla, Novartis, Dr Reddys Laboratories, German Remedies and Teva. He has received research support from AstraZeneca and financial assistance with the production ofa book on the history of asthma charities from Novartis.

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