The Life's Limitations of Uncontrolled Asthma in a Developing Country: Results of an Albanian Survey

Abstract

Introduction: Studies conducted across Western Europe reported that bronchial asthma (BA) has an important impact on patients' lives quality. We present Albanian asthmatic patients' views based on the questionnaire generated from the European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients Associations (EFA). Materials and methodology: In this study participated 145 Caucasian patients consecutively and prospectively diagnosed with BA. Results: The vast majority of patients reported lifestyle' limitations because of uncontrolled BA, three-fourth of them re- ported restriction of physical activity, and 20% felt their professional perspectives were limited. Additionally, up to 80% of the subjects were not optimistic about achieving the guideline goals but they were optimistic regarding the availability of more qualitative medicines and improvement of healthcare level over the next years. Our patients indicated that optimal treatments should be fast-acting and long-lasting, should be working immediately and should stop the symptoms com- pletely. Conclusions: These results demonstrate the high impact of uncontrolled asthma, despite its severity, on .patients' lives in a developing country.