OBJECTIVES: Although the prevalence of asthma in China has been estimated between 1-2%, it is expected to rise considerably. The aim of this study was to quantify the burden associated with the condition in urban China.  METHODS: Data from the 2010 China National Health and Wellness Survey (NHWS) was used (N=19,954). The NHWS is a self-reported survey administered to the adult population of urban China using a mixed methodology.  Respondents who reported that they had been diagnosed with asthma were compared with those who had not on health status (using the SF-12v2), work productivity (using the WPAI) and self-reported healthcare resource use in the past six months. Regression modeling controlled for demographics, health behaviors, and comorbidities. RESULTS: A total of 326 patients reported a diagnosis of asthma (1.63%).  Even after adjusting for covariates, patients with asthma reported significantly worse mean mental (42.63 vs. 46.30) and physical (45.52 vs. 49.63) component summary scores (p<.05). Health state utilities were also significantly worse (0.66 vs. 0.71, p<.05). Patients with asthma reported significant greater impairments at work, including more absenteeism (10.39% vs. 4.42%), presenteeism (31.31% vs. 19.81%), and overall work impairment (36.63% vs. 22.26%).  The number of provider visits (2.52 vs. 1.49), emergency room (ER) visits (0.83 vs. 0.25), and hospitalizations (0.27 vs. 0.07) were all significantly higher among those with a diagnosis of asthma in the past six months. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest a significant burden among those who reported a diagnosis of asthma in urban China. As the prevalence of asthma continues to rise, a greater emphasis on disease management could result in a large improvement in health outcomes.