Poor Asthma Control Among US Workers Health-Related Quality of Life, Work Impairment, and Health Care Use

Objective: This study examined the impact of asthma control on health-related outcomes among employed US asthma sufferers treated with prescription medicines. Methods: Data from the 2011 National Health and Wellness Survey (N = 75,000) were used. The Asthma Control Test, validated measures of health-related quality of life, work productivity and activity impairment, and questions assessing health care use were included. Results: Of the 2026 employed asthma sufferers treated with prescription medicines included, 39.7% had Asthma Control Test scores indicating poorly controlled asthma. After adjusting for covariates, workers with poorly controlled asthma had worse health-related quality of life, work and activity impairment, and more health care use than those with well-controlled asthma. Conclusions: Poorly controlled asthma in employed patients treated with prescription medicines is common, and associated with negative health outcomes. Workers, employers, and payers could all benefit from improvements in asthma control.