Perception of oral corticosteroids in adult patients with asthma in France

Abstract

Objective

Oral corticosteroids (OCS) are frequently used as relievers for acute asthma and controllers for severe asthma. However, the relief offered by OCS is counterbalanced by adverse effects. We aimed to describe how patients perceive OCS treatment benefits and risks, and how this could affect their adherence to the treatment.

Methods

Patients aged ≥18 years with asthma registered with Carenity, an online patient community, were invited to respond to a questionnaire containing 35 closed and 3 open questions to assess their asthma and perceptions of OCS.

Results

268/300 respondents were receiving or had received OCS for asthma (58 for long-term use and 107 for short-term use). The mean age at diagnosis was 21.3 years. 66% had uncontrolled asthma (GINA control score 3 or 4). Although 42% perceived OCS to be efficacious, 46% mentioned adverse effects. Respondents were mostly satisfied with OCS (median = 7.0/10), particularly for efficacy (median = 8.0/10). Respondents reported having strategies to avoid OCS, mainly because of adverse effects. 26% of respondents had previously reduced or stopped OCS; this proportion was 22% for short-term OCS users and 36% for long-term users. 15% of the respondents not receiving long-term OCS would take the treatment without doing anything else if long-term OCS were prescribed; 42% would seek an alternative treatment.

Conclusions

OCS for asthma is perceived efficient but associated with adverse effects. Patients seek alternative treatment.

Keywords:

• Treatment
• Management/Control

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the patients from the Carenity Asthma Community who participated in this survey. Caroline Fabry and Elsa Darnal from AstraZeneca contributed to the development of the survey and provided funds for operational support. They would also like to acknowledge medical writing and editorial services on an earlier version from Margaret Haugh, MediCom Consult, Villeurbanne, France.

Declaration of interest

Ophélie Wilczynski and Emilie Pain report commercial sponsorship from AstraZeneca relating to the conduct of the study. Arnaud Bourdin and Dany Jaffuel report commercial sponsorship from Carenity relating to the conduct of the study. Arnaud Bourdin reports grants, personal fees and non-financial support from AstraZeneca and Boehringer Ingelheim, personal fees and non-financial support from Chiesi, GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis and Teva, non-financial support and other support (investigator) from Cephalon outside the submitted work. Dany Jaffuel reports personal fees from AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Chiesi and Philips, personal fees and non-financial support from GlaxoSmithKline, LÖWENSTEIN Médical and SEFAM, non-financial support from ResMed outside the submitted work. Caroline Fabry and Elsa Darnal are employees of AstraZeneca.

Sources of funding

This work was supported by AstraZeneca.