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Asthma Insights and Reality in Europe (AIRE)

AIRE (Asthma Insights & Reality in Europe) describes the current state of patients knowledge, their attitudes and behaviour towards asthma. The results are based on a study on 2800 adults and children's parents with asthma in Spain, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Holland, Sweden and Italy (400 interviews with eligible asthma sufferers in each country)
The study shows the gap between clinical practice guidelines and the reality of treatment for patients with asthma.
It is the most important survey carried out so far in Europe searching these topics.
A similar survey was conducted in the United States of America (Asthma in America Survey).

Aire Survey Main Findings

GINA Treatment Guidelines

AIRE Findings

minimal (ideally no) chronic symptoms, including nocturnal symptoms

46% had daytime symptoms and 30% experienced sleep disturbances once a week

Minimal (infrequent) episodes

61% reported severe episodes of coughing, wheezing, chest tightness or shortness of breath

No emergency visits

nearly a third (30%) of the patients had emergency visits to hospital or doctor in the past year

minimal need beta2-agonist

63% used quick-relief medicine in previous month

no limitations on activities including exercise

63% patients reported limitation in activities including sports, household chores, choice of jobs

17% adults and 43% children missed work/school

have normal or near-normal lung function (PEF variability <20%)

over 50% of patients had never received a lung function test

Updated December 29, 2005
Author: Respirar-To Breathe Team

Go to AIRE Web Site, with complete information and Slides Collection (Power Point)

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Estudio AIRE

GINA Treatment Guidelines	AIRE Findings
minimal (ideally no) chronic symptoms, including nocturnal symptoms	46% had daytime symptoms and 30% experienced sleep disturbances once a week
Minimal (infrequent) episodes	61% reported severe episodes of coughing, wheezing, chest tightness or shortness of breath
No emergency visits	nearly a third (30%) of the patients had emergency visits to hospital or doctor in the past year
minimal need beta2-agonist	63% used quick-relief medicine in previous month
no limitations on activities including exercise	63% patients reported limitation in activities including sports, household chores, choice of jobs 17% adults and 43% children missed work/school
have normal or near-normal lung function (PEF variability <20%)	over 50% of patients had never received a lung function test