Smoking and severe persistent asthma

• Smoking has detrimental effects on different clinical aspects of asthma, like accelerated decline in lung function, diminished symptom control, worse quality of life(QoL) and impaired therapeutic response. Fighting for Breath, a survey conducted by EFA(2005) showed that a worrying number of uncontrolled asthmatic patients(pts) indicated exposure to passive smoking as possible reason for poor QoL. After a decade, we conducted Still Fighting for Breath(GfK on behalf of Novartis upon EFA's invitation), an online survey in 1333 pts with severe persistent asthma(SPA) to assess the impact of SPA on pts’ daily life(fig1). Though law banning smoking in public spaces is implemented, still a high proportion of pts(88%) reported disruption in activities of daily living with 38% presenting poor perception of their disease control(disconnect b/w Pts perception and GINA assessment). Asthmatics identified exposure to smoking as trigger for exacerbations, with 63% of them(68% of caregivers) avoiding smoky premises. Percentage of smokers with SPA was higher than the general population in some of the countries. Current smokers with asthma were significantly more frequently diagnosed with anxiety(47%) and depression (41%) than never-smokers(40% and 27%, resp.) and ex-smokers(42% and 28%, resp.)(z-test, Α = 0.05). Thus, there is a need for improved management and support(smoking cessation, treatment, assessment of perception and psychological conditions) of asthmatic smokers with SPA.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Lungmedicin och allergi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Respiratory Medicine and Allergy (hsv//eng)

Publication and Content Type

vet (subject category)

art (subject category)