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Disease variability in asthma: how do the patients respond?--and why?
Charlotte Suppli Ulrik1, Ulrik Søes-Petersen, Vibeke Backer
1Department of Heart and Lung Diseases, Hvidovre Hospital, Copenhagen.
Summary
Adult asthma patients often adjust their inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) doses without consulting doctors. Many rely on reliever medication during exacerbations, even when advised to increase controller medication, indicating self-management may not align with medical guidance.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Clinical Pharmacy
- Patient Self-Management Research
Background:
- Asthma management requires personalized treatment due to disease variability.
- Understanding patient self-management strategies is crucial for optimizing asthma care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate self-management patterns in adult asthmatics in response to symptom fluctuations.
- To explore factors influencing patients' treatment adjustment decisions.
Main Methods:
- A web-based survey was administered to 509 adult asthma patients.
- Data collected included asthma knowledge, compliance, and treatment choices, specifically regarding inhaled corticosteroids (ICS).
Main Results:
- Two-thirds of patients on ICS adjusted their daily dose without medical consultation.
- Over 50% reduced ICS during milder periods; 57% increased only reliever medication during exacerbations, contrary to medical advice.
- Treatment preferences were linked to confidence in self-adjustment, not asthma knowledge.
Conclusions:
- Adult asthmatics frequently self-manage asthma exacerbations by increasing reliever medication, often neglecting controller medication adjustments as advised by physicians.
- Patient-preferred asthma management strategies appear driven by confidence in self-adjustment rather than objective knowledge of the disease.
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