Uncontrolled Asthma Affects Quality of Life Globally: New Research Highlights Unmet Medical Needs

Uncontrolled asthma is a significant concern worldwide, impacting the quality of life for millions of people. According to a recent report, despite advances in treatment and care, many patients with asthma still face delayed diagnoses, poor symptom control, and a reliance on emergency care. The Global Allergy and Airways Patient Platform (GAAPP) conducted a survey to assess the care experiences of patients with moderate-to-severe uncontrolled asthma, highlighting the need for policy reforms to prioritize timely diagnosis, shared decision-making, and long-term disease control.

Key Takeaways:

• 56% of survey participants reported waiting more than 1 month to undergo pulmonary function testing for diagnosis, indicating delayed diagnosis.
• 51% of participants indicated minimal to no improvement in quality of life despite treatment interventions, highlighting the need for more effective management strategies.
• 42% of participants reported difficulties in asthma management, with some describing the process as difficult or very difficult.
• 32% of individuals used daily corticosteroids, underscoring the importance of medication adherence.
• Nearly half of the cohort (49.5%) consulted three or more healthcare providers in their pursuit of effective asthma management.
• 50% of participants sought urgent care for uncontrolled symptoms, and 35% required hospitalization, indicating the need for improved emergency care services.
• Improving outcomes for patients with uncontrolled asthma will require both clinical innovation and structural transformation.

Statistics:

• 1401 individuals with self-reported asthma using combination inhaler therapy and experiencing symptoms were enrolled in the study.
• 56% of participants reported waiting more than 1 month to undergo pulmonary function testing for diagnosis.
• 51% of participants indicated minimal to no improvement in quality of life despite treatment interventions.
• 42% of participants reported difficulties in asthma management.
• 32% of individuals used daily corticosteroids.
• 49.5% of participants consulted three or more healthcare providers in their pursuit of effective asthma management.
• 50% of participants sought urgent care for uncontrolled symptoms, and 35% required hospitalization.

Sources:

• The Global Patient Perspective on Uncontrolled Moderate-to-Severe Asthma: Reducing Delays in Diagnosis and Treatment. Advances in Therapy, 2025.
• Springer. Advances in Therapy can be contacted at: Springer, One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, Ny, United States. (Springer - www.springer.com; Advances in Therapy - www.springerlink.com/content/0741-238x/)
• Karen Rance, Global Allergy and Airways Patient Platform (GAAPP), Hendersonville, TN, United States.