The Global Patient Perspective on Uncontrolled Moderate-to-Severe Asthma: Reducing Delays in Diagnosis and Treatment

Uncontrolled asthma greatly affects quality of life globally and highlights unmet medical needs. Despite advances in treatment and care, many patients still experience delayed diagnoses, poor symptom control, and a reliance on emergency care. The Global Allergy and Airways Patient Platform (GAAPP) surveyed patients with moderate-to-severe uncontrolled asthma to assess their care experiences.

The GAAPP Time Clock Survey is a cross-sectional, online, multilingual survey of adults living in Brazil, Germany, Italy, Japan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and the US. The survey examined diagnosis, symptoms, treatment outcomes, challenges in self-management, and timelines for care coordination.

A total of 1401 individuals with self-reported asthma using combination inhaler therapy and experiencing symptoms were enrolled in this study. Among these participants, 56% reported waiting more than 1 month to undergo pulmonary function testing for diagnosis. Additionally, 51% indicated minimal to no improvement in quality of life despite treatment interventions. Difficulties in asthma management were reported by 42% of participants, with some describing the process as difficult or very difficult. Approximately 32% of individuals used daily corticosteroids. Nearly half of the cohort consulted three or more healthcare providers in their pursuit of effective asthma management. Emergency department visits were common, with 50% seeking urgent care for uncontrolled symptoms and 35% requiring hospitalization.

This study underscores the importance of policy reforms that prioritize timely diagnosis, shared decision-making, and long-term disease control. Improving outcomes for patients with uncontrolled asthma will require both clinical innovation and structural transformation.