Suboptimal Control of Asthma Among Diverse Patients: A US Mixed Methods Focus Group Study

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary Medicine
• Patient-Reported Outcomes
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Current asthma guidelines emphasize patient perspectives for improved control.
• Understanding patient and caregiver experiences with asthma treatments is vital.

Purpose of the Study:

• To gather data on adult asthma patients' and caregivers' perceptions of, experiences with, and concerns about various asthma treatments.
• To identify key themes influencing asthma management from the patient and caregiver viewpoints.

Main Methods:

• Conducted in-person focus groups in three US cities with diverse adult asthma patients and caregivers of children with asthma.
• Utilized patient-reported outcome measures to assess asthma control and treatment experiences.
• Included adults with asthma, caregivers of children with asthma, and individuals with comorbid asthma and COPD.

Main Results:

• Suboptimal asthma symptom control was prevalent, with only 28% of patients well-controlled.
• 44% of participants reported non-adherence to prescribed medical plans.
• Key themes identified include inadequate symptom monitoring, incorrect treatment use, ineffective healthcare communication, and treatment-related concerns.

Conclusions:

• Asthma symptom control remains suboptimal for most patients, who often feel uninformed.
• Effective asthma management requires healthcare providers to engage in shared decision-making with patients and caregivers.
• Integrating patient values, preferences, and lifestyles into treatment selection is essential for improving asthma outcomes.