Year: 2024
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Objective: Initiated by the Severe Asthma Network Italy (SANI), this study aims to explore asthma patients' perceptions of disease severity, differentiating between mild and severe asthma. The objective is to identify factors influencing tailored treatment strategies for varying disease severities and to provide insights into asthma care in Italy. Methods: Conducted between November 2020 and January 2021, a survey using Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) collected data from 308 Italian adults, representing the population. A 25 item multiple choice questionnaire covered asthma diagnosis, symptoms, treatment approaches, associated conditions, and quality of life. Results: Among participants, 83.8% reported having mild asthma, while 16.2% had severe asthma. Severe asthma patients had longer disease durations, more severe symptoms, frequent exacerbations, and higher hospital/ER visits. Although treatment adherence and symptom profiles generally aligned with international guidelines for self reported severe asthma, 22% of self identified mild asthmatics experienced severe respiratory symptoms. Oral corticosteroid (OCS) use was observed in 50% of severe cases and 22% of mild cases. Adherence was higher in severe asthma patients (76%) versus mild asthma patients (28%). Both groups experienced comorbidities, with 96% of severe asthmatics and 72% of mild asthmatics reporting impaired quality of life. Conclusion: This study highlights the disparity between clinical categorization and patient perceptions of asthma severity. The prevalence of self reported severe asthma exceeds literature data. The burden of mild asthma remains significant, with treatment approaches not fully aligned, particularly regarding disproportionate OCS use. Addressing this gap requires enhancing patient education, improving diagnostic practices, and promoting adherence.
Authors: Gabriella Guarnieri, Bianca Olivieri, Manuela Latorre, Angela Rizzi, Francesco Blasi, Giorgio Walter Canonica, Enrico Heffler, Pierluigi Paggiaro, Gianenrico Senna, Marco Caminati, On behalf of the SANI study group, Arianna Aruanno, Diego Bagnasco, Ilaria Baiardini, Carmen Ballacchino, Marco Bonavia, Matteo Bonini, Fulvio Braido, Luisa Brussino, Cecilia Calabrese, Gianna Camiciottoli, Monica Carbonara, Cristina Cardini, Giovanna Elisiana Carpagnano, Cristiano Caruso, Luciano Cattani, Giorgio Celi, Stefano Centanni, Raffaella Chini, Angelo Guido Corsico, Lorenzo Cosmi, Maria Teresa Costantino, Claudia Crimi, Maria Angiola Crivellaro, Alice D’Adda, Simona D’Alo, Maria D’Amato, Stefano Del Giacco, Francesco Del Zotti, Aikaterini Detoraki, Alessandra Diana, Fabiano Di Marco, Eugenia Durante, Elisabetta Favero, Maria Pia Foschino-Barbaro, Sandra Frateiacci, Giuseppe Guida, Alessia Lofaro, Carlo Lombardi, Francesca Losa, Nadia Magarò, Francesco Menzella, Manlio Milanese, Eustachio Nettis, Eleonora Nucera, Giovanni Paoletti, Giovanni Passalacqua, Vincenzo Patella, Roberta Parente, Girolamo Pelaia, Laura Pini, Francesca Puggioni, Luisa Ricciardi, Luca Richeldi, Erminia Ridolo, Giulio Rigon, Pierachille Santus, Mario Scali, Nicola Scichilone, Giulia Scioscia, Concetta Sirena, Giuseppe Spadaro, Antonio Spanevello, Paolo Tarsia, Elisa Testino, Francesca Torracca, Marzio Uberti, Andrea Vianello, Baoran Yang
Institutions: University of Padua, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata Verona, Agostino Gemelli University Polyclinic, Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Humanitas University, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, University of Pisa, University of Verona, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, University of Genoa, A. O. Ordine Mauriziano di Torino, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi, University of Bari Aldo Moro, University of Milan, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale Santi Paolo e Carlo, University of Pavia, Policlinico San Matteo Fondazione, Azienda Ospedaliera Carlo Poma, Policlinico Universitario di Catania, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Policlinico "G.Rodolico - San Marco", Federico II University Hospital, University of Naples Federico II, University of Cagliari, Azienda ULSS 9 Scaligera, Ospedale Papa Giovanni XXIII, Ca' Foncello Hospital, University of Foggia, University of Turin, Fondazione Poliambulanza Istituto Ospedaliero, AULSS 2 Marca Trevigiana, Azienda Sanitaria Locale N. 2 Savonese, Ospedale Santa Corona, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Azienda Sanitaria Locale Salerno, University of Salerno, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria "Renato Dulbecco", Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale degli Spedali Civili di Brescia, University of Brescia, University of Messina, University of Parma, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Azienda Unita' Sanitaria Locale di Parma, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico "Paolo Giaccone" di Palermo, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Società Italiana di Medicina Generale
Language: English
Subfield: Physiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,895
Funders: AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, Sanofi
OpenAlex ID: W4401631421