<p>Asthma impacts on workplace productivity in employed patients who are symptomatic despite background therapy: a multinational survey</p>

Abstract

Background: Asthma affects millions of people worldwide, with many patients experiencing symptoms that affect their daily lives despite receiving long-term controller medication. Purpose: Work is a large part of most people’s lives, hence this study investigated the impact of uncontrolled asthma on work productivity in adults receiving asthma maintenance therapy. Patients and methods: An online survey was completed by employed adults in Brazil, Canada, Germany, Japan, Spain and the UK. Participants were confirmed as symptomatic using questions from the Royal College of Physicians’ 3 Questions for Asthma tool. The survey contained the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment – Specific Health Problem questionnaire and an open-ended question on the effect of asthma at work. Results: Of the 2,055 patients on long-term maintenance therapy screened, 1,598 were symptomatic and completed the survey. The average percentage of work hours missed in a single week due to asthma symptoms was 9.3%, ranging from 3.5% (UK) to 17.4% (Brazil). Nearly three-quarters of patients reported an impact on their productivity at work caused by asthma. Overall work productivity loss (both time off and productivity whilst at work) due to asthma was 36%, ranging from 21% (UK) to 59% (Brazil). When asked how asthma made participants feel at work, many respondents highlighted how their respiratory symptoms affect them. Tiredness, weakness and mental strain were also identified as particular challenges, with respondents describing concerns about the perception of colleagues and feelings of inferiority. Conclusions: This study emphasizes the extent to which work time is adversely affected by asthma in patients despite the use of long-term maintenance medication, and provides unique personal insights. Strategies to improve patients’ lives may include asthma education, optimizing asthma management plans and running workplace well-being programs. Clinicians, employers and occupational health teams should be more aware of the impact of asthma symptoms on employees, and work together to help overcome these challenges.

Economic burden of asthma in Singapore

“…13 17 38 For absenteeism, our sample reports an average of 6.6 hours missed over the past month, which is roughly half of the 13.6 hours average reported in a study of six countries. 39 Our respondents also report an average score of 4 on the presenteeism scale, just one unit above the average score from the same international study (4 vs 3). 39 This study is not without limitations.…”

“…39 Our respondents also report an average score of 4 on the presenteeism scale, just one unit above the average score from the same international study (4 vs 3). 39 This study is not without limitations. A primary limitation is the potential for selection bias of the survey respondents.…”

“… 39 Our respondents also report an average score of 4 on the presenteeism scale, just one unit above the average score from the same international study (4 vs 3). 39 …”

<p>Omalizumab for Severe Allergic Asthma Treatment in Italy: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis from PROXIMA Study</p>

“…Overall work productivity loss (both time off and productivity whilst at work) due to asthma was 36%, ranging from 21% (UK) to 59% (Brazil). 13 Despite effective treatments and management guidelines, 5-10% of asthmatics suffer from severe asthma (SA) and it accounts for 50% of the global costs of the disease. [14][15][16][17] Although treatment with daily high-dose inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) and long-acting inhaled β2 agonists (LABAs), a significant proportion of SA patients do not achieve a good disease control requiring additional therapy.…”

A Comparative Study of the Life Quality and Style of the Healthy and Asthma Suffering People Referring to Zanjan Province Hospitals

“…As far as dominance of the disease in Iran is concerned, it is five percent to 15 percent on the average [5]. Besides causing high rate of mortality, the disease affects patients' communication, and different aspects of their life like family dimensions and social activities, while restricting patients' physical activity [6][7][8].…”