Busting Asthma Myths September 2018
About Asthma Australia Asthma Australia helps the one in nine with asthma to breathe better. The Facts For over 50 years Asthma Australia and the Asthma Foundations have been leaders in asthma health care, education, research and advocacy. We deliver evidence-based preventative health strategies through our information provision, phone line and asthma referral and coaching service. We provide education and training to promote best practice asthma care and first aid training to schools, early learning centres, workplaces and sporting and recreational settings to ensure asthma emergencies are addressed swiftly and appropriately. Asthma is a condition that affects most. Despite this, there are many misconceptions about this chronic disease. Busting Asthma Myths presents five facts about asthma and new data on perceptions and misperceptions about asthma. Here are the facts. We support research that contributes to national and international understandings of asthma and how best to manage the disease. Fact This Study We advocate on the issues that are important to people with asthma, to ensure policies are in place to support people with asthma achieve optimal health. Through this work, we now reach more than 500,000 each year. FACT ONE Asthma impacts most. 6 of are impacted by asthma, with 18% having been diagnosed with the chronic disease and 4 knowing someone with asthma. For more information about this report, please contact Anthony Flynn, Senior Manager for Research, Policy and Advocacy, aflynn@asthmafoundation.org.au FACT TWO Asthma is a long term disease. Fewer than half of all (4) correctly identify that asthma is a chronic disease that doesn t go away. More than a quarter (27%) incorrectly identify that it is a chronic disease that most people grow out of as they grow older and a further hold the misconception that asthma is a chronic disease that you only have when you have symptoms. FACT THREE Asthma is a lifethreatening disease. Three in ten do not know that asthma is life-threatening. of correctly identify that asthma is a chronic disease that is life threatening. FACT FOUR Asthma triggers are varied and include pollen, smoke, physical activity and exercise, colds and flus and thunderstorms. Most know that pollen (8), smoke (8) and physical activity and exercise (7) and cold and flus () are triggers of asthma. Fewer know that thunderstorms (4) are a trigger of asthma. FACT FIVE Using an asthma preventer every day is the best way to reduce asthma symptoms and flare ups. Just over half of all (5) correctly identify that using a preventer medication every day is the best way to manage asthma, while more than a quarter (2) of incorrectly believe that the best way to control asthma is to use a blue reliever every day. 2 Asthma Week I Myth Busting Report 2018 Asthma Week I Myth Busting Report 2018 3
FACT 1 Asthma affects most The approach Asthma Australia commissioned YouGov Galaxy to undertake an online omnibus survey between 21 and 24 June 2018. The purpose of the survey is to determine the extent to which understand key facts about asthma. Almost two thirds of (6) were affected by asthma, with almost one in five (18%) indicating that they had been diagnosed with asthma and a further 4 knowing someone with asthma. The survey sample was 1,012 aged 18 years and over across Australia. The table below provides an overview of the responses. An overview of participants by state and territory is provided in the table below. State or Territory Number of participants New South Wales 275 Victoria 248 Queensland 209 South Australia 110 Western Australia 119 Rest of Australia 51 Age, gender and region quotas were applied to the sample and following the completion of interviewing, the data was weighted by age, gender and region to reflect the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics population estimates. Me / I have been diagnosed 18% 1 2 My child / children 1 1 My parent / sibling 1 Other relative 18% 1 2 Friend Work colleague Other anyone with asthma 37% 4 30% were more likely than men to have indicated that they had been diagnosed with asthma (2 compared to 1) and to know someone with asthma (70% compared to 5). The table above provides an overview of the responses by gender. 4 Asthma Week I Myth Busting Report 2018 Asthma Week I Myth Busting Report 2018 5
FACT 2 Asthma is a long term disease Existing evidence Asthma is a common chronic inflammatory respiratory illness which is experienced differently by different people 1. Asthma symptoms commonly include shortness of breath, chest tightness, wheeze and cough and occur variably and can occur extremely frequently or infrequently. Absence of symptoms does not mean absence of asthma 2. Fewer than half of all (4) correctly identify that asthma is a chronic disease that doesn t go away. More than a quarter (27%) incorrectly identify that it is a chronic disease that most people grow out of as they grow older, hold the misconception that asthma is a chronic disease that you only have when you have symptoms and incorrectly identify that the chronic disease is contagious. The remaining 1 of don t know which of the statements best describes asthma. The table below provides an overview of the responses. aged 18-24 years (2) are more likely than older population groups to incorrectly identify that asthma is a chronic disease that you only have when you are having symptoms, aged 50-64 years and 65 plus are more likely to correctly identify that asthma is a chronic disease that never goes away (50% and 5 respectively). The table below provides an overview of all responses by age group. most grow out of as they grow older 18-24 27% 30% 25-34 29% 35-49 29% 50-64 2 65+ 2 you only have when you are experiencing symptoms 2 18% 1 can be contagious 0% most grow out of as they grow older 27% doesn t go away 4 3 4 39% 50% 5 you only have when you are experiencing symptoms 1 1 1 9% can be contagious doesn t go away 4 1 most grow out of as they grow older you only have when you are experiencing symptoms 27% 28% were more likely than men to correctly identify that asthma is a chronic disease that doesn t goes away (47% compared to 40%) and men are more likely than women to respond that they don t know ( compared to 7%). can be contagious doesn t go away 40% 47% The table to the left provides an overview of the responses by gender. 7% 6 Asthma Week I Myth Busting Report 2018 Asthma Week I Myth Busting Report 2018 7
FACT 3 Asthma is a life threatening chronic disease Existing evidence In 2015 there were 421 deaths directly attributed to asthma, equating to 1.5 deaths per 100,000 population 3. This mortality rate has been consistent over the past five years. are twice as likely to die from asthma as men. Three in ten incorrectly identify that asthma is a chronic disease that can be serious but not life threatening (), that asthma is a temporary chronic disease (8%) or that they don t know which statement is most correct. The remaining of correctly identify that asthma is a chronic disease that is life threatening. The table below provides an overview of responses. causes temporary discomfort to the individual and then goes away can be serious but not life threatening can result in death can be cured are more likely than men (78% compared to 60%) to correctly identify that asthma is a chronic disease that can result in death and men are more likely than women to answer that they don t know ( compared to ). The table above provides an overview of responses by gender. The older get, the more likely they are to correctly identify that asthma is a chronic disease that can result in death (8 for 65+ years compared to 50% for 18-24 years), and younger are more likely to incorrectly 1 60% identify that asthma is a chronic disease that causes temporary discomfort to the individual and then goes away (1 for 18-24 years compared to for 65+ years), a chronic disease that can be serious but not life threatening (2 for 18-24 years compared to 9% for 65+ years) and a chronic disease that can be cured ( for 18-24 years compared to for 65+ years). The table below provides an overview of responses by age group. 1 78% causes temporary discomfort to the individual and then goes away 8% can be serious but not life threatening 18-24 25-34 35-49 50-64 65+ can result in death can be cured causes temporary discomfort to the individual and then goes away 8% 1 1 9% can be serious but not life threatening 2 19% 1 1 9% can result in death 50% 57% 6 8 8 can be cured 8% 9% 8 Asthma Week I Myth Busting Report 2018 Asthma Week I Myth Busting Report 2018 9
FACT 4 Asthma triggers are varied and include pollen, smoke, physical activity and exercise, colds and flus and thunderstorms aged 18-24 years and 25-34 are less likely to indicate that thunderstorms (3 for 18-24 years, 3 for 25-34 years, compared to 4 national average), pollen ( for 18-24 years and 77% for 25-34 years, compared to 8 national average) can be triggers for asthma. The table below provides an overview of responses by age groups. Existing evidence 18-24 25-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Asthma symptoms are triggered by a number of individual and environmental factors and usually people with asthma report numerous triggers 4. People who identify pollen as a trigger for their asthma may also be vulnerable during thunderstorms 5. People who have non-asthma allergies to pollen may also be vulnerable to experiencing asthma during thunderstorms. It is estimated that 80% of people with asthma also have hay fever 6. Most correctly identify that pollen (8), smoke (8), physical activity and exercise (7) and cold and flus () are triggers of asthma. Fewer know that thunderstorms (4) are a trigger of asthma. The remaining of indicated that none of the above are triggers of asthma. Physical activity / exercise Thunderstorms Pollen Smoke 7 4 8 8 78% 3 7 77% 3 77% 8 7 4 8 8 7 58% 9 8 7 5 89% 8 The table below provides an overview of responses. Cold / Flu 67% 7 68% 67% None of the above Physical activity / exercise 7 7 8 Thunderstorms 4 4 50% Pollen 8 79% 87% Smoke 8 79% 8 Cold / Flu 6 77% None of the above are more likely than men to indicate that all triggers contribute to asthma. The table above provides an overview of the responses by gender. 10 Asthma Week I Myth Busting Report 2018 Asthma Week I Myth Busting Report 2018 11
FACT 5 Using an asthma preventer every day is the best way to reduce asthma symptoms and flare ups Existing evidence are more likely than women to incorrectly identify that using a blue reliever puffer every day is the best way to manage asthma (3 compared to 2), while women are more likely than men to correctly identify that using preventer medication is the best way to manage asthma (6 compared to 4). are also more likely than women to indicate that they don t know (19% compared to 1). The table below provides an overview of responses by gender. aged 18-24 years and 25-34 years are more likely to incorrectly identify that using a blue reliever puffer every day is the best way to manage asthma (47% for 18-24 years and 37% for 25-34 years compared to 2 national average). aged 18-24 years are far less likely to correctly identify that using a preventer medication every day is the best way to manage asthma (27% compared to 5 national average). The table at the base provides an overview of responses by age group. Preventer medicine use is the mainstay of individual and population level asthma management. Preventers act to reduce the underlying inflammation, thereby preventing asthma symptoms and enabling optimal wellbeing. On a population level, the arrival of inhaled anti-inflammatory preventer medicine was associated with a significant decrease in hospitalisations and mortality due to asthma by 4 between 1997 and 2009 7. Asthma medicine adherence is extremely low 8. Use a blue reliever puffer everyday Take a Panadol 3 2 Avoid physical activity Just over half of all (5) correctly indicate that using a preventer medication every day is the best way to manage asthma, while more than a quarter (2) of incorrectly believe that the best way to control asthma is to use a blue reliever every day. Use preventer medication every day 4 19% 6 1 The table below provides an overview of responses. 18-24 25-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Use a blue reliever puffer everyday 2 47% 37% 2 19% 19% Use a blue reliever puffer everyday 2 Take a Panadol - 0% Take a Panadol Avoid physical activity 0% Avoid physical activity Use preventer medication every day 5 27% 4 50% 7 68% Use preventer medication every day 5 1 2 1 12 Asthma Week I Myth Busting Report 2018 Asthma Week I Myth Busting Report 2018 13
References 1. National Asthma Council and Asthma Australia, 2017, National Asthma Strategy. Accessed online: https://assets.nationalasthma.org.au/resources/national-asthma-strategy-2018.pdf 2. Tai. A, Tran. H, Roberts. M, Clarke. N, Gibson. A-M, Vidmar. S, Wilson. J, Robertson. C.F, 2014. Outcomes of childhood asthma to the age of 50 years. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 133(6). Accessed online: https://www.jacionline.org/article/s0091-6749(13)02937-0/pdf 3. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2018, Asthma Snapshot: Deaths. Accessed online: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/chronic-respiratory-conditions/asthma/contents/deaths 4. National Asthma Council, 2017. Know your allergic triggers (fact sheet). Accessed online: https://www.nationalasthma.org.au/living-with-asthma/know-your-triggers 5. Asthma Australia, 2017. Thunderstorm Asthma Protect yourself this pollen season Managing asthma and allergies matters. Accessed online: file:///c:/users/aflynn/downloads/aa%20thunderstorm%20asthma_dl%20brochure-aug%202017.pdf 6. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Allergic rhinitis ( hay fever ) in Australia. Cat. no. ACM 23. Canberra: AIHW; 2011. Accessed online: www.aihw.gov.au/publication-detail/?id=10737420595 7. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2011. Asthma in Australia: With a focus chapter on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Accessed online: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/chronic-respiratory-conditions/asthma-in-australia-2011-with-chapter-on-copd/ contents/table-of-contents 8. Australian Centre for Asthma Monitoring, 2015. Respiratory medication use in Australia 2003 2013. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Canberra. Accessed online: https://www.aihw.gov.au/getmedia/24a0baf9-1298-4178-8f42-66d71fc2df34/18879.pdf.aspx?inline=true Asthma Australia ABN 91 609 156 630 Level 13, Tower B, 799 Pacific Highway Chatswood NSW 2067 02 9906 3233 info@asthma.org.au For asthma assistance please call 1800 ASTHMA (1800 278 642) Helpline www.asthma.org.au