A new survey reveals that three of four people with symptomatic asthma blame the illness for a notable reduction in productivity at work. The Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Survey (WPAIS), led by Boehringer Ingelheim, shows that on average, asthma patients missed up to three hours of work a week despite maintenance therapy. The WPAIS international survey is a recognized and validated, patient-administered, quantitative assessment of absenteeism and daily impairment triggered by a specific health problem during a 7-day period.

The WPAIS surveyed 1,598 participants with asthma who suffered symptoms of the disease while taking maintenance treatments. The study included participants ages 18 years and older from Spain, Canada, Brazil, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Japan. The participants were employed full- or part-time with a confirmed symptomatic asthma diagnosis and under treatment.

The poll found that approximately 74% of the asthma patients reported productivity issues at work that amounted to about 3 missed hours of work per week, while 9% of respondents reported complete inability to work. In addition, 67% reported sleep disturbances. A total of 13% of asthma patients report no impact in regard to work, and 18% felt mentally strained. Of the patients, 51% said asthma symptoms negatively affected daily chores and activities outside of the workplace.

The survey was conducted via the THINK.ACT.BREATHE campaign, which is an initiative to help asthma patients identify personal risk and improve immediate and long-term risk of asthma exacerbations. The results of the survey were recently presented at the 8th International Primary Care Respiratory Group Conference.

Dr Kevin Gruffydd-Jones, lead author of the report, said the findings illustrate how asthma can impact a patient’s economic burden, even while on medication, the Lung Disease News report notes. “People with asthma often accept their symptoms and the impact they have on their daily lives. It is important that people with asthma talk to their doctor about how their asthma is affecting them at work, their sleep and daily life, and to discuss what more could be done to help them feel better and live life to the full,” Gruffydd-Jones said.

Source: Lung Disease News