World Asthma Day – Asthma affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide, yet clinical management often overlooks what matters most to patients. While asthma care has advanced, a clear gap remains between clinical measures and patients’ lived experiences, particularly regarding quality of life. Research shows that even well-controlled asthma may not align with patients’ perceptions of improvement or remission.
Asthma is a chronic illness that affected approximately 262 million people globally in 2019, and almost 600,000 children and adults across Finland, Norway, and Sweden in 2018 (Hansen et al., ERJ Open Res, 2023).
Clinical management for asthma has continuously advanced over the past years, but a critical gap remains in understanding what matters the most to patients. Although established questionnaires such as the Asthma Control Test (ACT) and emerging tools like the Asthma Impairment and Risk Questionnaire (AIRQ) are widely available, many patients still face unmet needs.
1. Disconnect between clinical and patient priorities
Patients prioritize quality of life (QoL), whereas most assessments focus narrowly on symptom counts or exacerbation. In a study conducted in 2021 (Clark et al., ERJ Open Res, 2021), researchers found that QoL measures including breathlessness and ability to participate in daily activities are patients’ most valued improvements. However, these measures are not included in the 2020 expert consensus of the criteria for asthma remission.
2. Different realities of asthma remission
Even when asthma is “well-controlled”, patients may not feel the benefits. In a recent study focusing on patients receiving biological therapies, researchers have found a mismatch between patients’ perception of remission and clinical metrics (Coleman et al., Eur Respir, 2023). This highlights the need for a patient-centered definition of disease remission.
What are the opportunities?
- Setting the right goals: integrate patient-centric outcomes into clinical assessment.
- Bridge the knowledge gap: apply real-world evidence to guide the development of a holistic approach for asthma care.
At Schain Research, we are always excited to partner with stakeholders to transform real-world patient data into actionable insights.
Let us collaborate to ensure patients’ true needs are addressed!
See you at the World Asthma Day.
