Half a million asthma patients suffering unnecessarily
pharmafile | July 20, 2004 | News story | |
More than half a million people in the UK suffer an asthma attack every day, with a further million putting up with one every week – attacks which Asthma UK say can be easily prevented through greater education.
The UK has one of the highest rates of asthma in the world, and the charity says its survey has uncovered a 'breakdown in communication' between GPs and asthma patients, with thousands never asked about their symptoms.
"This survey highlights the shocking state of affairs that people are still suffering in silence," commented Donna Covey, chief executive of Asthma UK.
"We found that 75% of people with mild to moderate asthma in the UK – more than 3.5 million people – still suffer debilitating symptoms that regularly restrict their daily activities when they should be living virtually symptom free.
The poll found almost 50% of people with 'everyday' asthma said they were never or only occasionally asked by GPs about the frequency of their attacks, and 68% said their GP or practice nurse had failed to enquire if their asthma had affected their ability to take part in physical activity.
"There is absolutely no reason why people with mild to moderate asthma should not be living a virtually symptom free life. All too often during a consultation, the patient reports that they are 'fine' whereas specific questioning, such as the use of the Royal College of Physicians' three questions, would reveal any ongoing symptoms which should not be tolerated," said Professor Martyn Partridge, chief medical advisor to Asthma UK.
"The next essential step is the development of a personal asthma action plan in partnership with the patient, which offers a helpful structure by which they know how to manage their condition and recognise worsening asthma. The fact that only a small minority of patients in the UK are receiving such advice reflects a failure of our systems for reviewing people who have asthma."
The charity has launched a review card Making the Most of Your Asthma Review which the Royal College of Physicians recommends every GP should ask their patient during their asthma review; it includes the following three questions:
1) Have you had difficulty sleeping because of your asthma symptoms (including cough)?
2) Have you had your usual asthma symptoms during the day (cough, wheeze, chest tightness or breathlessness?
3) Has your asthma interfered with your usual activities (eg, housework, work/school, etc?)
Asthma UK is also publishing a blueprint for better communication between their GP or practice nurse in a special supplement in its Asthma Magazine.
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