In a study on bronchial asthma, 40% of patients were found to use rapid
symptomatic treatment, putting their health at risk.
Almost two thousand seven hundred people with asthma were interviewed in the
study. The researchers found that 39% of them were only using symptomatic
medications that simply treat asthma symptoms, rather than long-acting
prophylactic medications. The authors are concerned about this, because these
patients have to seek treatment when their condition dangerously worsens at the
last minute. Treatment with such drugs is just an option for people with mild
asthma. Only patients who have infrequent asthma symptoms, use their inhaler
less than twice a month, and who have no risk factors for asthma flare-ups can
use this symptom-only approach. The study found that patients who were more
likely to use such drugs were more likely to be men and smokers. One in nine
Australians suffer from asthma, a total of about 2.5 million people. According
to experts, the disease most often occurs in men under the age of fourteen, but
among those aged fifteen years and older, asthma is more common in women.
Preventive drugs help control asthma symptoms and prevent attacks. They reduce
inflammation in the airways, making them less sensitive. Researchers said the
results of the study showed a worrying picture of living with asthma in many of
those who only use an inhaler. Patients experience short-term relief and this
treatment does nothing to address the underlying problem. This group of
patients tend to be very upset with their illness and dissatisfied with how
they are managing their asthma. They are also more likely to live in fear of a
severe asthma attack despite taking their medications as directed. Many of the
patients stated that they were more likely to manage the attack themselves
rather than seek medical attention. Many adults with asthma take preventive
medications, usually in the form of an inhaler, which delivers a low dose of corticosteroids
to the lungs. Asthma death rates and hospital admissions in Australia have
dropped sharply since 1990. But the study found that some doctors and patients
were unduly reassured by the severity of the condition. The authors believe
that Australia needs urgent changes in both drug prescribing and drug
recommendations to protect thousands of Australians from serious health
problems from poorly managed asthma.