Asthma control and concordance of opinions between patients and pulmonologists. (6th August 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Urrutia, Isabel; Plaza, Vicente; Pascual, Silvia; Cisneros, Carolina; Entrenas, Luis M.; Luengo, María Teresa; Caballero, Fernando
• Is Part Of: Journal of asthma. Volume 50:Number 8(2013)
• Page Start: 877
• Page End: 883
• Publication Date: 2013-08-06
• Subjects: Control/management -- education -- quality of life; Asthma -- Periodicals; 616.238005
• DOI: 10.3109/02770903.2013.819886
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0277-0903

Abstract

Abstract: Patient–physician opinion concordance could play a key role in asthma control. There have been no studies evaluating this association in large samples of patients. Objectives : To determine opinion concordance between asthma patients and their pulmonologists on the impact of the disease and to correlate concordance to asthma control. Methods : This was a cross-sectional multicentre study including 1160 patients and 300 pulmonologists. Patient–physician concordance rates were assessed by two semi-structured qualitative questionnaires: (1) impact of the disease and (2) treatment satisfaction. Subsequently, participating pulmonologists determined the concordance between their perceptions and their patient's. Sociodemographic and clinical data were recorded for all patients. Results : In 53.6% of cases, asthma was controlled. The rate of patient–pulmonologist concordance on disease impact on patient daily life was 57%, with physicians underestimating the impact (compared to patients) in 26% of cases. Concordance on satisfaction with treatment was 56%, with physicians underestimating satisfaction in 26% of cases. Patient–physician discordance rates were significantly lower among patients with controlled asthma (29 and 32.1%) than those with poor control (73.7 and 73.1%). Conclusions : Patient–pulmonologist concordance on perceptions of disease impact is low, particularly in uncontrolled asthma. This poor concordance should be addressed in education programmes, particularly for patients with uncontrolled symptoms.