The Global Patient Perspective on Uncontrolled Moderate-to-Severe Asthma: Reducing Delays in Diagnosis and Treatment.

Abstract

Introduction: Uncontrolled asthma greatly affects quality of life globally and highlights unmet medical needs. Despite advances in treatment and care, many patients still experience delayed diagnoses, poor symptom control, and a reliance on emergency care. The Global Allergy and Airways Patient Platform (GAAPP) surveyed patients with moderate-to-severe uncontrolled asthma to assess their care experiences.

Methods: The GAAPP Time Clock Survey is a cross-sectional, online, multilingual survey of adults living in Brazil, Germany, Italy, Japan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and the US. The survey examined diagnosis, symptoms, treatment outcomes, challenges in self-management, and timelines for care coordination.

Results: A total of 1401 individuals with self-reported asthma using combination inhaler therapy and experiencing symptoms were enrolled in this study. Among these participants, 56% reported waiting more than 1 month to undergo pulmonary function testing for diagnosis. Additionally, 51% indicated minimal to no improvement in quality of life despite treatment interventions. Difficulties in asthma management were reported by 42% of participants, with some describing the process as difficult or very difficult. Approximately 32% of individuals used daily corticosteroids. Nearly half of the cohort consulted three or more healthcare providers in their pursuit of effective asthma management. Emergency department visits were common, with 50% seeking urgent care for uncontrolled symptoms and 35% requiring hospitalization.

Conclusion: This study underscores the importance of policy reforms that prioritize timely diagnosis, shared decision-making, and long-term disease control. Improving outcomes for patients with uncontrolled asthma will require both clinical innovation and structural transformation.