Docs, asthmatics fail to communicate

WASHINGTON, March 21 (UPI) -- Asthma patients and their primary-care physicians may not always speak the same language when it comes to discussing asthma, a U.S. survey found.

The survey, conducted by Harris Interactive for the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, finds doctors and patients agree asthma control includes having few to no asthma symptoms, being able to continue with activities of daily life, not having to use fast-acting inhalers frequently and reducing the severity of asthma symptoms.

However, while 80 percent of doctors say that they discuss asthma control with their patients, asthma patients report asthma control is discussed during a typical asthma visit 11 percent of the time.

"Doctors tend to review quantitative, clinical factors during a typical office visit, which may not be perceived by patients as dimensions of asthma control," Mike Tringale of the AAFA said in a statement.

Patients tend to place a heavier emphasis on the "qualitative" dimension of the disease -- whether or not they feel they are breathing freely, whether or not they can go to work today, play sports, or go out with friends, Tringale added.

That may explain the disconnect between patients and physicians when discussing asthma control.