Press Release: Confident but not controlled: 92% of Irish people with asthma are confident about managing their condition however 48% are deemed ‘uncontrolled’1

Pan-European Survey reveals low levels of asthma control in Ireland.

• Irish respondents are experiencing asthma symptoms nearly 3 days a week.
  
• 48% of Irish people with asthma are classified as ‘uncontrolled’.
  
• One in ten people with asthma in Ireland never think about their condition.   

Results from a pan-European asthma survey released today, reveals that nearly half of all Irish people with asthma are classified as having ‘uncontrolled’ asthma[1], according to the GINA (Global Initiative for Asthma), asthma control classification.[2]  Highlighting this finding the survey shows that on average respondents experience symptoms nearly three days a week.[3] ‘Uncontrolled’ asthma is unadvisable; it may progress to the point of an asthma attack, and can often result in the recurrence or worsening of symptoms for those with asthma. [4]

Releasing its findings today in Ireland, the REcognise Asthma and LInk to Symptoms and Experience (REALISE™) detailed that 92% of Irish people with asthma claim confidence in managing their asthma well on their own, yet 48% of these respondents are classified as ‘uncontrolled’ by GINA classification. This is despite high levels of confidence, knowledge about their condition and low perception of how serious the condition is.[5]  Irish people with asthma follow only the Italians (53%), Norwegians (52%) and Germans (51%) in levels of uncontrolled asthma – and are placed higher than the overall EU average which states 45% of EU asthma sufferers are uncontrolled.[6]

The REALISE™ survey, developed in partnership with respiratory experts and sponsored by Mundipharma International, is the largest pan-European data survey on the incidence of asthma exacerbations and symptoms compared to GINA control classifications; as well as insights into patient attitudes.[7]

In Ireland for the launch of REALISE™, Monica Fletcher OBE, Chief Executive of Education for Health and Chair of The European Lung Foundation, said, “People with asthma have normalised their asthma and are not thinking about their condition as part of their daily health or something they should consider seriously.

“These results clearly show that there is a real disconnect in how people with asthma in Ireland and across the EU view management of their asthma. For example, Irish respondents are the second highest in the EU at a 3.8 mean (nearly 4 times) to rely on their reliever inhaler in a week; yet over half of Irish respondents believe they are managing their asthma well and perceive themselves to be in good health. We need to help people with asthma to understand that asthma control is essential to lead a better quality of life, reduce symptoms and lead to better outcomes in their health in later life.”

Irish people with asthma  were also found to have no time to think about their health, only 6% of Irish respondents think about their asthma daily and 11% (one in ten) admitted to never thinking about their asthma whatsoever. [8]  Even more surprising was that one fifth (22%) of people with asthma in Ireland are still smoking; which further correlates with the findings that people with asthma are not concerned about their condition and perceive it as not serious.[9]

Also present at the launch ofREALISE™, Sharon Cosgrove, chief executive, Asthma Society of Ireland (ASI) said: “Asthma is the most common chronic respiratory disease in Ireland, which has a serious and sustained impact on the health and wellbeing of the population; including on average one asthmatic death a week. We welcome these REALISE findings as Asthma control and management is a key priority for the health sector in Ireland. These results further demonstrate the importance of the National Clinical Programme for Asthma in Ireland.”

Attitudes across Europe to asthma management show that two-thirds of people with asthma believe that their condition holds them back in some way and 40% are anxious about not knowing when the next asthma attack is coming; yet in contrast 40% find using their inhaler a nuisance and more than half have not had their inhaler technique checked in the past 12 months. Irish respondents were found to be the second-lowest across EU in this regard, with only-one third of Irish people with asthma having had their inhaler technique checked in the last 12 months.[10]

In addition, 36% of European respondents are embarrassed about using an inhaler in front of others, while 26% feel embarrassed just carrying it around with them- further solidifying that people with asthma often prioritise their image over their wellbeing. [11]

Ian Sutton, General Manager of Mundipharma Ireland added, “We are delighted to continue to support asthma research in Ireland and across Europe in order to help both people with asthma and health care practitioners understand more about this condition. We are committed to continuing this work with the asthma community to drive better disease management strategies and reducing the societal burden of the asthma condition.”

The REALISE survey was sponsored by Mundipharma, who is committed to collaborating with the asthma community in order to discover new perspectives on asthma management with the goal of improving the lives of people with asthma.

ENDS

For further information, interviews or images please contact:

Keira Doyle, Hume Brophy:  Keira.doyle@humebrophy.com / (0) 86 778 0301

Guen Flanagan, Marketing Manager – New Therapies,  Mundipharma Pharmaceuticals Limited

Phone +353-1-2063800,  Guen.Flanagan@mundipharma.ie

Notes to editors:

About REALISE™

The REALISE™, REcognise Asthma and LInk to Symptoms and Experiences survey, sponsored by Mundipharma and developed in partnership with asthma experts, is a large pan-European survey of people with asthma which aimed to assess patient attitudes and behaviours towards their disease. The survey was conducted in 8,000 people with asthma aged 18-50 across 11 European countries between July and October 2012. In order to take part in the survey, respondents must have received at least two prescriptions for their asthma in the past two years and also had to be active on social media. Further details about the survey can be found in the accompanying REALISE™ survey backgrounder.

About asthma

Asthma is a chronic (long-term) inflammatory disorder of the airways which leads to recurrent episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness and coughing. Asthma is a serious public health issue affecting an estimated 30 million children and adults under 45 years of age across Europe.⁶ Patients with poorly managed asthma are at an increased risk of exacerbations, hospitalisation and death. Poorly managed asthma can also have a huge impact on a person’s quality of life and day-to-day activities.

About Mundipharma Pharmaceuticals Ltd

Mundipharma Pharmaceuticals Ltd (MPL) is part of a worldwide network of privately-owned independent associated healthcare companies. MPL has been operating in the Irish market for forty years and operates in the areas of pain management, respiratory medicine, oncology, and cardiology. Internationally, Mundipharma and its associated companies continue to invest in research into and the development of new treatments to provide relief to those who live with chronic illnesses.