New Survey Reveals Asthma Continues to Disrupt Millions of Lives Across Europe[1],[2]

Cambridge, England (ots/PRNewswire) -

Data released on World Asthma Day suggest a more personalised
approach to

asthma management may be required to control this chronic disease

- 2 in 5 people with asthma say they have had time off work at least 
once in
  the last year because of their asthma[2]
- 7 in 10 people with asthma have experienced other health problems, 
related to
  asthma, in the last year[2]
- People with asthma tend to have one of two mindsets: 'confident' or
'seeking'
- each group may benefit from a personalised disease management 
approach

Today, results from a large pan-European asthma survey show that
people with asthma are still experiencing largely preventable
symptoms[2] that disrupt their daily lives.[2] The survey highlights
that many people with asthma simply put up with symptoms, often
because they believe they have control over their asthma and do not
realise it can be better managed.[2] The findings suggest that
understanding patient attitudes to asthma may be key to improving
asthma management.

The REALISE survey, conducted by Mundipharma International in
partnership with asthma experts, questioned 8,000 people with asthma
aged 18-50 across 11 countries about their experiences of asthma, and
attitudes and behaviours towards the disease. The aim was to explore
the underlying reasons for the sub-optimal management of asthma
across Europe,[3],[4] and identify how disease management can be
improved.

According to REALISE, 2 in 5 people with asthma get short of breath
when hurrying on level ground or walking up a slight hill,[2] and 1
in 5 say asthma affects their sex life.[2] Less than half of those
prescribed a preventative inhaler use it regularly as advised by
their doctor.[2] The survey sheds new light on why many patients
experience symptoms but may not follow the best course of action to
better control their condition. Notably, some people with asthma find
their inhaler a nuisance,[2] difficult,[2] or embarrassing to use,[2]
and others are not motivated to seek support and information from
their doctor.[2] The results suggest that understanding how people
with asthma think about their disease and its impact on their lives
may help the asthma community discover more effective ways of
managing the condition.

"People with asthma seem to believe that they have no choice but to
put up with disruptive asthma symptoms, most of which could be
avoided. We need to help these people take control and manage their
asthma better. The REALISE study sheds light on patient attitudes
towards asthma and offers us valuable insights to help tailor asthma
care and achieve better outcomes for people living with the
condition," said Professor David Price, Primary Care Respiratory
Society UK, Professor of Primary Care Respiratory Medicine,
University of Aberdeen. "We must look beyond treating the symptoms
alone and take the patient mindset into account if we really want to
improve asthma management."

The REALISE findings show that people with asthma tend to fall into
one of two groups. Both report a level of sub-optimal disease
management,[2] but their experiences of asthma and attitudes towards
the condition vary. The first group can be classified as 'confident'.
These people believe they are fit and healthy[2] and are unconcerned
by asthma.[2] 32% have clinical control of their disease.[2] Only 14%
of this group describe their symptoms as 'serious'[2] and they do not
believe they need help from a doctor.[2] Nevertheless, 25% have
experienced asthma symptoms on three or more days during the last
week.[2]

The second group of people with asthma can be classified as
'seeking'. These people acknowledge their health is worse than other
people their age[2] and actively look for information about
asthma.[2] They think about their asthma more than once a week,[2]
worry about the effect that the disease will have on their future
health[2] and want to improve their asthma management.[2] Here, 45%
describe their symptoms as 'serious',[2] and 56% feel that their
asthma stops them living life to the full (vs. 11% in the 'confident'
group).[2] Only 6% of this group have clinical control of their
asthma.[2] 78% feel frustrated by not being able to manage their
asthma better[2] and many believe sharing their experiences of asthma
online could make a difference to how they manage their
disease.[2][*]

The identification of these two groups of patients with differing
attitudes to asthma suggests that the way in which a person perceives
their condition may play a role in how they manage it. This in turn
may influence the support and treatment they need. Mundipharma is
working with asthma experts to understand more about the influence of
attitudes on asthma management and intends to support the development
of resources that meet the varying educational and behavioural needs
in asthma.

"Mundipharma's support for REALISE shows our commitment to, and
investment in, research which will inform the development of better
treatment strategies in asthma and ultimately lead to reducing the
individual and societal burden of this debilitating condition," said
Professor Dr. Karen Reimer, Managing Director of Mundipharma
Research. "Combined with the right treatments for the right patients,
this could make a real difference."

--------------------------------------------------

* Detailed results of the survey and analysis of the different
characteristics of asthma patient types will be presented at the
upcoming International Primary Care Respiratory Group (IPCRG) World
Conference on 23 - 24 May in Uppsala, Sweden.

Date of preparation: April 2013

MINT/RPR-13003

-Notes to editors-

About World Asthma Day

World Asthma Day is an annual event organised by the Global
Initiative for Asthma (GINA) to improve asthma awareness and care
around the world. The theme of World Asthma Day 2013 is "You Can
Control Your Asthma". This is consistent with the emphasis on asthma
control set out in the latest versions of the GINA documents. Asthma
control is defined by a range of clinical parameters such as patients
experiencing no or minimal symptoms, no waking at night due to asthma
and the ability to do normal physical activity and exercise.

About asthma

Asthma is a chronic (long-term) inflammatory disorder of the airways
which leads to recurrent episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest
tightness and coughing. Asthma is a serious public health issue
affecting approximately 30 million people in Western Europe.[1]
Patients with poorly managed asthma are at an increased risk of
exacerbations, hospitalisation and death. Poorly managed asthma can
also have a huge impact on a person's quality of life and day-to-day
activities.

About Mundipharma

The Mundipharma network of independent associated companies consists
of privately owned companies and joint ventures covering the world's
pharmaceutical markets. These companies are committed to bringing to
patients the benefits of pioneering treatment options in the core
therapy areas of oncology, pain, respiratory and rheumatoid
arthritis. For further information please visit:
http://www.mundipharma.com

For supporting materials please visit:
http://www.mundipharma.com/Press/RespiratoryResources/background

References

1. Braman, S. The Global Burden of Asthma. Chest 2006; 130: 4S-12S.

2. Mundipharma International Limited data on file: REALISE - European
Asthma Patient Survey Results, 2012.

3. Demoly, P., K. Annunziata, E. Gubba and L. Adamek. Repeated
cross-sectional survey of patient reported asthma control in Europe
in the past 5 years. Eur Respir Rev 2012; 21: 123, 67-74.

4. Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA). Global strategy for asthma
management and prevention (updated 2012). http://www.ginaasthma.com.

Date of preparation: April 2013

MINT/RPR-13003

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