OBJECTIVES: Asthma symptoms can lead to physical and social activities limitations, deteriorating the quality of life (QoL) of patients. Given the high percentage of asthmatic uncontrolled patients, it is important to assess how the lack of control affects the QoL. METHODS: An observational, cross-sectional and multicenter study with severe persistent asthma patients according to GEMA, in specialist consultation (pneumology and allergy) was done. QoL was assessed using Mini-AQLQ questionnaire (domains: daily activity limitation, symptoms, emotions and environment) according to GEMA and physician criteria, and patients’ perception. Anxiety and depression according to GEMA criteria and patient’s perception, and hyperventilation were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale and the Nijmegen questionnaire, respectively. RESULTS: A total of 343 patients were enrolled, being the mostly women (67.6%). Uncontrolled patients had worse QoL scores according to GEMA, physician criteria and patient perception [4.4 (1.3) versus 6.1 (1.0), 4.2 (1.2) versus 5.7 (1.2), 3.9 (1.1) versus 5.5 (1.2), respectively, p<0.0001 in all cases]. These patterns were also observed in the different dimensions of QoL assessed (p<0.0001 in all cases). The anxiety was associated with a poor control asthma according to the GEMA [7.7 (4.4) versus 4.9 (3.1), p=0.0003] and patient perception [8.4 (4.4) versus 6.1 (3.9), p<0.0001]. Depression also showed significant association with poor control according to GEMA and patient perception [4 (4.3) versus 2.3 (2.7) and 6.2 (4.1) versus 3.5 (3.9), respectively, p<0.0001 in both cases]. Similarly, the degree of hyperventilation was higher in uncontrolled patients according to GEMA and patients perception [19.2 (10.0) versus 9.6 (8.5) and 21.9 (9.3) versus 13.5 (9.5), respectively, p<0.0001 in both cases]. CONCLUSIONS: Uncontrolled asthma patients have worse quality of life, showing a greater degree of anxiety, depression and hyperventilation.