[Corticophobia in asthma].

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Steroid phobia is regarded as a common phenomenon in the management of asthma, eventually contributing to poor compliance in these patients. The aim of this survey was to examine asthma patients (adults and children with their parents) and general practitioners (GPs) if inhaled corticosteroids are a matter of concern. METHODS: The physicians were asked what they assume, their patients would answer. To accomplish this, 407 physicians (202 GPs without subspecialty, 103 internists, 102 pediatricians) and 346 patients (245 adults, 101 children, 109 parents) were questioned using a structured questionnaire. RESULTS: In contrast to patients, physicians rated inhaled corticosteroids as the medication the patients wanted primarily to get rid of (in parenthesis physician answers): adult asthmatics 17% (55%), children 19%, parents 26% (55%). The answer "side effects" to the question "What do you dislike most in your asthma medication?" was given as follows: physicians 58%, adult asthmatics 42%, children 10%, parents 14%, and pediatricians 46%. Major lack of knowledge regarding the use and function of asthma medication was excluded in these patients as well as in the children's parents. The request for further information regarding their disease varied: adult asthmatics 57%, children 66%, parents 90%. CONCLUSION: Our survey indicates that physicians may overestimate patients' concern to use inhaled corticosteroids in asthma therapy. For patients rejecting corticosteroid therapy other antiinflammatory treatment options must be considered as an alternative individually.