19.08.14
Most asthma sufferers have a more severe condition than they realise
Despite thinking their condition is under control, three in four UK asthma sufferers are unaware that they may be at risk of a fatal attack, according to a new Allergy UK survey, writes Alexandra Clarke.
Asthma sufferers with their disease under control should use, on average, less than one ‘reliever’ asthma inhaler a month. But according to the survey, 78% of those who believe their disease is ‘mild’ or ‘moderate’ actually use up to four inhalers a month, putting them in a more severe category.
The survey also suggested that 15% of people who believe they are only mild or moderate asthma sufferers have attended A&E on at least one occasion in the past 12 months due to their asthma.
Government data showed that around 4 million people were using asthma medication in the UK in 2012-2013. National Charity Allergy UK estimates that up to 2.7 million of those who consider their asthma to be mild or moderate are in danger of life-threatening asthma attacks.
Despite taking regular medication, 49% participants in the survey still suffer from breathlessness, and 45% from wheezing. Allergy UK believes these people need to be urgently reviewed.
In addition, in the last 12 months nearly half of those who believe they are ‘mild to moderate’ asthma sufferers have been prescribed oral steroids. This type of medication should only be necessary in an emergency, or in extremely severe asthma cases, showing these cases are not ‘under control’.
Deputy CEO of Allergy UK, Lindsey McManus said: “Asthma is a killer, with three people dying of it every day in the UK. These shocking survey results reflect what we hear time and time again from the people that call our helpline. People ‘put up with’ their asthma symptoms and continue to use medication that isn’t treating the inflammation, rather than seeking help to get their asthma under control.
“They just don’t realise they are putting themselves in danger and could soon find themselves in A&E”.
Of those who wrongly believe their asthma is ‘under control’, 16% have taken six or more days off school or work in the last year.
Only 37% of asthma sufferers surveyed had been allergy tested, despite 60% of asthma cases being triggered by allergens including common ones such as pollen, dust mite, animal dander, mould and foods. Allergy UK says that if more people were tested, the rate of asthma attacks would fall.
Dr Monica Nordstrom, respiratory physician at Ashford and St Peter’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust said: “Doctors, nurses and patients themselves often fail to recognise whether asthma is moderate or severe, leading to life-threatening attacks that could have been avoided with appropriate diagnosis and management. It is important for doctors and nurses to be informed about patient-specific allergic triggers for asthma and to make the link between a patient’s asthma and allergy. This can help to avoid long delays in getting appropriate treatment.”
She continued: “There are three warning signs for patients to look out for: if you use more than one reliever inhaler a month; if you’ve been prescribed one or more courses of oral corticosteroids in the past 12 months; or if you are consistently missing work or school because of your asthma. These can all be signs that your asthma may be more severe than you think and you should seek more help from your doctor or specialist nurse.”
‘Mild intermittent’ asthma sufferers are able to carry out normal everyday activities with normal lung function. Sufferers in this category are classed as having symptoms less than once a week, without sleeping being affected. Anything more than this is classed as uncontrolled asthma.
One in five asthma sufferers surveyed had not had an asthma review for over a year.
Lindsey McManus from Allergy UK added: “Our biggest piece of advice is to talk to your doctor or asthma nurse. They will conduct a thorough asthma review and may refer you to a specialist who may conduct an allergy assessment and review your asthma management. This is the only way to ensure that the asthma crisis doesn’t worsen.”
The survey was funded by Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Limited