Quality of life and patient satisfaction: two important aspects in asthma therapy

Health-related quality of life and satisfaction with treatment are important and complementary measures of the patient's health care experience. Whereas health-related quality of life provides information on the implications and consequences of the disease or its treatment for the patient's functional ability and well-being, satisfaction with received medical care has an important influence on compliance with therapy. Studies in patients with asthma have shown that health-related quality of life is correlated with symptom control and is a predictor of physician visits. Although few studies of treatment satisfaction using validated questionnaires have been performed, there is evidence that ease of use is an important determinant of patient satisfaction with inhalational devices. Prospective, long-term, naturalistic assessments of patient satisfaction with such devices, performed alongside studies of their efficacy, could help to improve the overall management of patients with asthma.