OBJECTIVES: Shortness of breath, chest tightness, wheeze and cough are hallmark symptoms of asthma.  These can significantly impact a patient’s life causing impairment to a patient’s physical, emotional and social wellbeing. To evaluate a treatment’s efficacy, it is important to assess endpoints that are important to patients. This study aimed to confirm symptoms and their impact which are important to asthma patients. METHODS: Fifteen patients with asthma, meeting predefined inclusion criteria were recruited by MAPI Values in Boston, USA. All patients consented. The semi-structured interviews explored symptoms and impact of symptoms. Patients also completed the Asthma Control TestTM (ACT) and the Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ(S)). Taped interviews were transcribed maintaining anonyminity and analysed to answer the key questions in the interview guide. Findings of the first 11 (75%) interviews were compared with the final 4 (25%) interviews to determine the level of consistency in the pattern of responses. RESULTS: All symptoms were recognised by patients using similar language as symptom descriptors.  No additional symptoms were offered.  Frequency, severity and predictability of symptom occurrence were considered to be relevant features of symptoms.  Shortness of breath was reported to be the main symptom to have an impact on patients’ lives.  Severity and frequency of symptoms affected the level of impact on a patient’s life.  Patients reported that the main impact of symptoms is the need to use their rescue medication and limitations on physical activity. Sleep disturbance and the need to adjust their life to avoid factors that they know trigger asthma worsenings were also reported. CONCLUSIONS: The four symptoms were confirmed along with consistency of terminology indicating homogeneity of understanding amongst the patients. Findings suggest it is relevant to measure frequency and severity of symptoms.  Symptoms impact a patient’s life in a number of ways.