Online Survey to Investigate Asthma Medication Prescription and Adherence from the Perspective of Patients and Healthcare Practitioners in England

Figures & data

Figure 1 Responses received from healthcare practitioners (HCPs) and patients. (A and B) Responses received from HCPs. (C and D) Responses received from patients with asthma.

Table 1 Survey Responses from GPs

Survey Questions		Frequency (N=48)	Percentage (%)
How many asthma patients do you see in a month?	<5	8	16.7
	5–10	16	33.3
	>10	24	50.0
The primary reasons for repeat inhaler prescriptions (select all that apply)	Patient request/repeat prescription	40	83.3
	Need for extra inhalers	30	62.5
	Poorly controlled symptomatic asthma	29	60.4
	Frequency of daytime symptoms/night-time awakenings	14	29.2
	Extent of activity limitation	10	20.8
The primary reasons for prescribing a SABA inhaler (number and percentage ranking as number 1 most relevant out of 4)*	Patient request/repeat prescription	29	60.4
	Need for extra inhalers (most relevant responses)	3	6.3
	Mild intermittent asthma	9	18.8
	Poorly controlled symptomatic asthma	7	14.6
The primary reasons for prescribing ICS therapy (number and percentage ranking as number 1 most relevant out of 6)*	Patient request/repeat prescription	29	60.4
	Stepping up therapy	8	16.7
	Seasonal risk factors for exacerbation	1	2.1
	Benefit-risk over current therapies	4	8.3
	Frequency of daytime symptoms/night-time awakenings	4	8.3
	Extent of activity	2	4.2
The primary reasons for prescribing SMART therapy (number and percentage ranking as number 1 most relevant out of 6)*	Patient request/repeat prescription	22	45.8
	Stepping up therapy	15	31.3
	Seasonal risk factors for exacerbation	1	2.1
	Benefit-risk over current therapies	8	16.7
	Frequency of daytime symptoms/night-time awakenings	0	0.0
	Patient preference	2	4.2
Do you prescribe SABA differently in people on regular ICS versus SMART regime?	Yes	15	31.3
	No	14	29.2
	Missing answers	19	39.6
Why do you prescribe SABA differently in people on regular ICS versus SMART regime? (select all that apply)	Poorly controlled symptomatic asthma	22	45.8
	Seasonal risk factors for exacerbation	15	31.3
	Patient request/repeat prescription	18	37.5
	Need for extra inhalers	7	14.6
	Patient intolerance of SMART regime	12	25.0
When do you typically perform a treatment review for asthma patients? (select all that apply)	At a scheduled annual review	26	54.2
	At a routine visit for another presenting complaint	15	31.3
	In response to increased quantity/frequency of SABA prescription	23	47.9
	Poorly controlled symptomatic asthma	22	45.8
	During an exacerbation	13	27.1

Note: *For these survey questions, only the responses with rank 1 (most relevant responses) have been presented in the table.

Abbreviations: SABA, short-acting β₂-agonist; ICS, inhaled corticosteroid; SMART, single maintenance and reliever therapy.

Table 2 Survey Responses from Patients

Survey Questions		Frequency (N=47)	Percentage (%)
What types of inhalers have you been prescribed? (select all that apply)	Reliever (blue/SABA)	41	87.2
	Preventer (brown/steroid)	26	55.3
	Combination, eg SMART regime (preventer + reliever)	19	40.4
Have you been shown how to use your inhalers by your healthcare professional?	Yes, and I feel confident using it	42	89.4
	Yes, but I do not feel confident using it	3	6.4
	No, but I feel confident using it	5	10.6
	No, and I do not feel confident using it	0	0.0
	I have not been given instructions on how to use my inhalers	2	4.3
On average, how often do you use your reliever (blue/SABA) inhaler?	Once a day	12	25.5
	Twice a day	10	21.3
	Three or more times a day	5	10.6
	Never or rarely use it	20	42.6
Are there times when you tend to use your reliever (blue/SABA) inhaler more often? (select all that apply)	Yes – during allergy/pollen season	24	51.1
	Yes – during cold/flu season	28	59.6
	Yes – before exercise or other known triggers for my asthma	18	38.3
	Yes – for other reasons	12	25.5
	No – there is no difference; I use my inhaler the same amount throughout the year	9	19.1
On average, how often do you use your preventer (brown/steroid) inhaler?	I do not use it	15	31.9
	Once a day	8	17.0
	Twice a day	15	31.9
	Three or more times a day	2	4.3
	Several times per week (increase in symptom severity)	1	2.1
	Seasonal use only	3	6.4
	Increased use during allergy/pollen and/or cold/flu season	2	4.3
	Other reasons	1	2.1
Are there times when you tend to use your preventer (brown/steroid) inhaler more often?	Yes – during allergy/pollen season	8	17.0
	Yes – during cold/flu season	7	14.9
	Yes – during a flare-up/asthma attack	7	14.9
	Yes – other reasons	4	8.5
	No – there is no difference; I use my inhaler the same amount throughout the year	21	44.7
If you have been prescribed a combination (red and white) inhaler, are there times when you tend to use this in preference to the reliever (blue/SABA) inhaler?	Yes – during allergy/pollen season	5	10.6
	Yes – during cold/flu season	3	6.4
	Yes – during a flare-up/asthma attack	4	8.5
	Yes – other reasons	2	4.3
	No	33	70.2
Have you been given an asthma treatment plan by your healthcare professional?	Yes	21	44.7
	No	26	55.3

Abbreviations: SABA, short-acting β₂-agonist; SMART, single maintenance and reliever therapy.