Abstract
Intoduction: Expression of symptoms and daily activities limitations is a core element in physician-patient dialogue in asthma management.
Aim: To identify the words most frequently used by physicians and patients to express asthma symptoms and limitations of daily activities, and to assess the patient-physician concordance regarding these words.
Methods: The “Asthma Language” study (NCT00986219) (descriptive, cross-sectional survey) enrolled patients with asthma receiving ICS-based treatment for ≥ 6 months. Investigators and patients chose up to 4 words from 2 lists (a symptoms and a daily activities limitations list) identical for patients/physicians. Furthermore, patients completed the ACQ-5.
Results: 695 patients (F: 57%, age 46.8±14.8 years) were enrolled. Time since diagnosis was 12.9±9.4 years. Treatment with ICS/LABA±LTRA was reported by 82% of patients. ACQ-5 score was 1.5±1.1. The words most frequently used to express asthma symptoms were “cough”, “dyspnoea” and “wheezing” (35%-56%), while those used to express activities limitations were “stairs climbing” “fast walking” and “uphill walking” (40.5%-53%). In terms of word concordance regarding expression of asthma symptoms and activities limitations, full concordance was observed in 4.3% and 19.1% and partial concordance in 75.4% and 74.9%, respectively. By grouping the words expressing the same symptom, full concordance was observed in 21.7% and partial concordance in 72%.
Conclusions: This study showed that there is a discordance regarding physician-patient communication in terms of the words used to express symptoms and daily activities limitations caused by asthma.
- © 2011 ERS
