Asthma Patients Need More Education Regarding Control
WASHINGTON, Oct. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Findings from one of the
most extensive national surveys assessing awareness and attitudes toward
asthma show a concerning difference between how well patients feel they
have the disease under control and the impact asthma actually has on their
daily life. The Asthma G.A.P. in America: General Awareness and Perceptions
found that two-thirds of asthma patients surveyed report that they have
their condition under control; however, over half report that they
experience symptoms (such as shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, chest
tightness and/or phlegm production) at least once a week. The Asthma and
Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) collaborated with AstraZeneca (NYSE:
AZN) to serve as a presenting sponsor of the survey data. Detailed survey
findings can be found at http://www.asthmagap.com.
"These survey findings illustrate the need for a better standard of
control when it comes to managing asthma," said Mike Tringale, Director of
External Affairs, AAFA. "There is a large disconnect between what asthma
patients are saying and how they are actually affected by their asthma
every day, which calls for better education on how to properly control the
disease."
The routine management of asthma in those with the disease was also
studied. Despite the fact that many asthma patients surveyed feel they have
their asthma under control, they use rescue medication regularly. In fact,
one in three report that in the past four weeks they had to use a rescue
inhaler at least once a day.
"Using a rescue medication regularly is a sign that asthma is not
properly controlled and you may be unnecessarily ailing from the disease.
According to NAEPP (National Asthma Education and Prevention Program)
respiratory guidelines, asthma patients should ideally use their rescue
inhaler no more than twice a week," said William E. Berger, MD, Division of
Allergy and Immunology, University of California, Irvine. "Patients should
talk to their doctor to evaluate their treatment regimen and find out if
maintenance therapies are right for them."
Asthma is one of the most serious chronic diseases in the United
States. It is estimated that 20 million Americans have asthma, and despite
the availability of treatments, it remains poorly controlled. The annual
direct healthcare cost of asthma is approximately $10 billion; indirect
costs (e.g., lost productivity) account for another $8 billion, for a total
of $18 billion.
Asthma needs to be managed with controller medications -- not just
treated with a rescue medication when it gets out of control. A controller,
or maintenance, medicine helps control inflammation and prevents the
airways from reacting to asthma triggers so a person can breathe easier.
Controller/maintenance medicines work best if taken every day, as
prescribed by a physician. Maintenance therapies, which include newer
combination asthma treatments such as SYMBICORT(R) (budesonide/formoterol
fumarate dihydrate) Inhalation Aerosol, not only help control asthma
symptoms, but also help to improve lung function. SYMBICORT delivers
improved lung function within 15 minutes of the first dose and at
subsequent doses, offering asthma patients the opportunity to experience
control of their asthma symptoms. Administered twice daily, SYMBICORT is a
combination of budesonide, an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS), and formoterol,
a rapid and long-acting beta2-agonist (LABA) for patients 12 years of age
and older. SYMBICORT does not replace fast-acting inhalers for sudden
asthma attacks.
Asthma G.A.P. in America Key Survey Findings
The Asthma G.A.P. in America is one of the first asthma surveys to
comprehensively study adults 18 years of age and older across states,
gender and ethnicities to determine what gaps exist between awareness and
perceptions regarding asthma. Survey findings show that asthma patients
around the country have similar experiences with asthma, highlighting the
fact that a better standard of control is needed on a national level, not
just one area of the country.
Control
Although asthma patients recognize the options available to control the
disease, they are not adapting their behavior appropriately to manage their
asthma. Results from the survey revealed:
-- Most asthma patients (59%) try to avoid taking medications whenever
possible, indicating that they are not properly controlling the disease
-- One in three (33%) asthma patients use a rescue inhaler at least daily,
and 73% have used a rescue inhaler at least once in the last month
-- Seven in 10 of all asthma patients surveyed (71%) would explore new
medications with their doctor if they heard about them
-- More than half of asthma patients say asthma limits their usual
activities or enjoyment of everyday life to varying degrees
Control in Sub-Populations
The sub-groups surveyed included the Hispanic and African-American
populations, as well as women. In addition, data was cut on a regional
level. Among these groups, a higher percentage of women were diagnosed with
asthma than men. In addition, the percentage of people who experienced
asthma symptoms versus those who are diagnosed is startling.
-- Among Hispanics, while only 8% of those surveyed report being diagnosed
with asthma, 58% report that they have experienced asthma symptoms. A
similar gap exists among African Americans; 13% report having been
diagnosed with asthma, while 58% report experiencing symptoms
-- A majority of the female asthma patients (71%) would like to be able to
better control their asthma
-- When asked about asthma control, only 26% of the female asthma patients
believed their asthma had been completely controlled in the past four
weeks
Survey Design/Methodology
Ipsos conducted the telephone survey on behalf of AstraZeneca and AAFA
between January 22, 2007, and March 4, 2007, among 4,042 U.S. adults 18
years of age and older. This included a nationally representative
probability sample of 2,029 Americans with or without asthma (849 men and
1180 women), and additional people were added to provide total samples of
510 African-Americans, 500 Hispanics and 616 asthma patients.
All survey data were weighted to reflect the demographic profile of
Americans 18 years of age and older nationwide, in specific ethnic groups
and/or of adult asthma patients, based on statistics from the U.S. Census
Bureau.
Results based on the sample of adults nationwide have a margin of error
of +/-2.2 percentage points, with a 95% confidence level. The margin of
error for the various sub-sample results is higher and varies.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
SYMBICORT (budesonide/formoterol fumarate dihydrate) Inhalation Aerosol
is a controller medicine for the long-term maintenance of asthma for people
12 years and older whose doctor has decided are not well controlled on
another asthma-controller medicine or need two asthma-controller medicines.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION ABOUT SYMBICORT
SYMBICORT won't replace rescue inhalers for sudden symptoms. Do not
take more than twice a day. While taking SYMBICORT, never use any other
medicine containing a long-acting beta2-agonist (LABA).
SYMBICORT contains formoterol, a LABA. Medicines containing LABAs may
increase the chance of asthma-related death. So, SYMBICORT should be used
only if your healthcare provider decides another asthma-controller medicine
alone does not control your asthma or you need two controller medicines.
If you are taking SYMBICORT, see your healthcare provider if your
asthma does not improve or gets worse.
Some people may experience increased blood pressure, heart rate or
changes in heart rhythm. Tell your doctor if you have a heart condition or
high blood pressure.
If you are switching to SYMBICORT from an oral corticosteroid, follow
your doctor's instructions to avoid health risks when you stop using oral
corticosteroids.
Avoid exposure to infections such as chicken pox or measles. Tell your
healthcare provider immediately if you are exposed.
In clinical studies, common side effects included nose and throat
irritation, headache, upper respiratory tract infection, sore throat,
sinusitis and stomach discomfort.
For full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide, please visit
http://www.mysymbicort.com.
About AAFA
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) is the leading
nonprofit consumer and patient organization fighting asthma and allergic
diseases. AAFA provides free consumer information, patient education, and
funding for research to find cures.
About AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca is a major international healthcare business engaged in the
research, development, manufacture and marketing of prescription
pharmaceuticals and the supply of healthcare services. It is one of the
world's leading pharmaceutical companies with healthcare sales of $26.47
billion and leading positions in sales of gastrointestinal, cardiovascular,
neuroscience, respiratory, oncology and infection products. AstraZeneca is
listed in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (Global) as well as the
FTSE4Good Index.
In the United States, AstraZeneca is a $12.44 billion healthcare
business with more than 12,000 employees. For nearly three decades,
AstraZeneca has offered drug assistance programs side by side with its
medicines, and over the past five years, has provided over $3 billion in
savings to more than 1 million patients throughout the U.S. and Puerto
Rico. AstraZeneca has been named one of the "100 Best Companies for Working
Mothers" by Working Mother magazine and is the only large pharmaceutical
company named to FORTUNE magazine's 2007 list of "100 Best Companies to
Work For." In 2006, for the fifth consecutive year, Science magazine named
AstraZeneca a "Top Employer" on its ranking of the world's most respected
biopharmaceutical employers.
AstraZeneca Respiratory is dedicated to the development of new,
effective treatments that help improve lung health and enhance the lives of
adults and children living with asthma. Through innovative respiratory
products, including SYMBICORT, AstraZeneca is providing patients with
effective treatment options to help manage their condition.
For more information about AstraZeneca, please visit
http://www.astrazeneca-us.com.
SOURCE The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America; AstraZeneca
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CONTACT:
Angel Waldron of The Asthma and Allergy
Foundation of America, +1-202-466-7643 x248, Angel@aafa.org; or
Katie Neff of AstraZeneca, +1-302-885-9960,
Katie.Neff@astrazeneca.com
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