OBJECTIVES:This paper examines the relationship between severe asthma patient compliance, level of control of asthma, and participation in full-time employment.

METHODS: Results are from the Ipsos Severe Asthma Therapy Monitor, an online study conducted among physicians treating severe asthma patients. The Q4 2018 US wave of this study captured data from 54 Pulmonologists and 52 Allergists, providing information on 668 severe asthma patients (337 Pulmonologist and 331 Allergist patient records).

RESULTS : A patient’s compliance with their inhaled maintenance therapy, as deemed by their physician, was found to be linked to the patient’s level of control of their asthma, their participation in full-time employment, and the number of days of work missed in the last 12 months.

Significantly more patients who were ≥90% compliant were deemed to have controlled asthma than patients who were <90% compliant (47% vs 29%; p<0.01). Similarly, significantly fewer patients with ≥90% compliance had uncontrolled asthma when compared to patients with <90% compliance (15% vs 25%; p<0.01).

Patients who were ≥90% compliant were also significantly more likely to be in full-time employment than those who were <90% compliant (59% vs 44%; p<0.01). Patients with <90% compliance in full- or part-time employment also missed a greater average number of days of work in the last twelve months because of their asthma, compared to patients with ≥90% compliance (10.7 vs 7.8 days).

CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the relationship between patient compliance with their maintenance regimen, the level of control they have over their asthma, and the likelihood of the patient to be in full-time employment. Patients deemed to be <90% compliant are more likely to have uncontrolled asthma, less likely to be in full-time employment and, if in full- or part-time employment, are more likely to miss more days of work due to their severe asthma.