Asthma severity: the patient’s point of view

Objective Initiated by the Severe Asthma Network Italy (SANI), this study aims to explore asthma patients’ perceptions of disease severity, differentiating between mild and severe asthma. The objective is to identify factors influencing tailored treatment strategies for varying disease severities an...

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Main Authors: Gabriella Guarnieri, Bianca Olivieri, Manuela Latorre, Angela Rizzi, Francesco Blasi, Giorgio Walter Canonica, Enrico Heffler, Pierluigi Paggiaro, Gianenrico Senna, Marco Caminati
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2024-12-01
Series:European Clinical Respiratory Journal
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Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/20018525.2024.2381307
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author Gabriella Guarnieri
Bianca Olivieri
Manuela Latorre
Angela Rizzi
Francesco Blasi
Giorgio Walter Canonica
Enrico Heffler
Pierluigi Paggiaro
Gianenrico Senna
Marco Caminati
author_facet Gabriella Guarnieri
Bianca Olivieri
Manuela Latorre
Angela Rizzi
Francesco Blasi
Giorgio Walter Canonica
Enrico Heffler
Pierluigi Paggiaro
Gianenrico Senna
Marco Caminati
author_sort Gabriella Guarnieri
collection DOAJ
description Objective Initiated by the Severe Asthma Network Italy (SANI), this study aims to explore asthma patients’ perceptions of disease severity, differentiating between mild and severe asthma. The objective is to identify factors influencing tailored treatment strategies for varying disease severities and to provide insights into asthma care in Italy.Methods Conducted between November 2020 and January 2021, a survey using Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) collected data from 308 Italian adults, representing the population. A 25 item multiple choice questionnaire covered asthma diagnosis, symptoms, treatment approaches, associated conditions, and quality of life.Results Among participants, 83.8% reported having mild asthma, while 16.2% had severe asthma. Severe asthma patients had longer disease durations, more severe symptoms, frequent exacerbations, and higher hospital/ER visits. Although treatment adherence and symptom profiles generally aligned with international guidelines for self reported severe asthma, 22% of self identified mild asthmatics experienced severe respiratory symptoms. Oral corticosteroid (OCS) use was observed in 50% of severe cases and 22% of mild cases. Adherence was higher in severe asthma patients (76%) versus mild asthma patients (28%). Both groups experienced comorbidities, with 96% of severe asthmatics and 72% of mild asthmatics reporting impaired quality of life.Conclusion This study highlights the disparity between clinical categorization and patient perceptions of asthma severity. The prevalence of self reported severe asthma exceeds literature data. The burden of mild asthma remains significant, with treatment approaches not fully aligned, particularly regarding disproportionate OCS use. Addressing this gap requires enhancing patient education, improving diagnostic practices, and promoting adherence.
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spelling doaj-art-6501b9ac351f4bb596c3ac928d865be42025-08-20T02:07:23ZengTaylor & Francis GroupEuropean Clinical Respiratory Journal2001-85252024-12-0111110.1080/20018525.2024.2381307Asthma severity: the patient’s point of viewGabriella Guarnieri0Bianca Olivieri1Manuela Latorre2Angela Rizzi3Francesco Blasi4Giorgio Walter Canonica5Enrico Heffler6Pierluigi Paggiaro7Gianenrico Senna8Marco Caminati9Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Padova, ItalyMedical Department, Allergy Unit and Asthma Center, Verona Integrated University Hospital, Verona, ItalyPulmonary Unit, Department of Medical Specialties, Nuovo Ospedale Apuano, Massa, ItalyUOSD Allergologia e Immunologia Clinica, Dipartimento Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche addominali ed endocrino metaboliche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, ItalyInternal Medicine Department, Respiratory Unit and Cystic Fibrosis Center, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico di Milano, Milan, ItalyDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Milan, ItalyDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Milan, ItalyDepartment of Surgery, Medicine, Molecular Biology and Critical Care, University of Pisa, Pisa, ItalyMedical Department, Allergy Unit and Asthma Center, Verona Integrated University Hospital, Verona, ItalyMedical Department, Allergy Unit and Asthma Center, Verona Integrated University Hospital, Verona, ItalyObjective Initiated by the Severe Asthma Network Italy (SANI), this study aims to explore asthma patients’ perceptions of disease severity, differentiating between mild and severe asthma. The objective is to identify factors influencing tailored treatment strategies for varying disease severities and to provide insights into asthma care in Italy.Methods Conducted between November 2020 and January 2021, a survey using Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) collected data from 308 Italian adults, representing the population. A 25 item multiple choice questionnaire covered asthma diagnosis, symptoms, treatment approaches, associated conditions, and quality of life.Results Among participants, 83.8% reported having mild asthma, while 16.2% had severe asthma. Severe asthma patients had longer disease durations, more severe symptoms, frequent exacerbations, and higher hospital/ER visits. Although treatment adherence and symptom profiles generally aligned with international guidelines for self reported severe asthma, 22% of self identified mild asthmatics experienced severe respiratory symptoms. Oral corticosteroid (OCS) use was observed in 50% of severe cases and 22% of mild cases. Adherence was higher in severe asthma patients (76%) versus mild asthma patients (28%). Both groups experienced comorbidities, with 96% of severe asthmatics and 72% of mild asthmatics reporting impaired quality of life.Conclusion This study highlights the disparity between clinical categorization and patient perceptions of asthma severity. The prevalence of self reported severe asthma exceeds literature data. The burden of mild asthma remains significant, with treatment approaches not fully aligned, particularly regarding disproportionate OCS use. Addressing this gap requires enhancing patient education, improving diagnostic practices, and promoting adherence.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/20018525.2024.2381307Severe asthmamild asthmaoral corticosteroidspatient’s perspectiveself reporting severity
spellingShingle Gabriella Guarnieri
Bianca Olivieri
Manuela Latorre
Angela Rizzi
Francesco Blasi
Giorgio Walter Canonica
Enrico Heffler
Pierluigi Paggiaro
Gianenrico Senna
Marco Caminati
Asthma severity: the patient’s point of view
European Clinical Respiratory Journal
Severe asthma
mild asthma
oral corticosteroids
patient’s perspective
self reporting severity
title Asthma severity: the patient’s point of view
title_full Asthma severity: the patient’s point of view
title_fullStr Asthma severity: the patient’s point of view
title_full_unstemmed Asthma severity: the patient’s point of view
title_short Asthma severity: the patient’s point of view
title_sort asthma severity the patient s point of view
topic Severe asthma
mild asthma
oral corticosteroids
patient’s perspective
self reporting severity
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/20018525.2024.2381307
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