Over two million people in Poland live with asthma, and an estimated 50-100 thousand suffer from the severe form of the disease, significantly impacting their daily lives.
Prevalence and Impact of Severe Asthma
In Poland, over 2 million people are affected by asthma, with 5-10% experiencing the severe form of the condition, potentially totaling 50-100 thousand individuals. Severe asthma substantially diminishes the quality of life for those affected.
Psychological and Social Consequences
Patients with severe asthma often experience fear, shame, limitations, and social exclusion, fearing attacks when alone. They report both physical and psychological fatigue, leading to changes in leisure activities, reduced social interaction, and avoidance of events like cinema or theater visits due to persistent coughing.
Impact on Work and Daily Functioning
Some patients are forced to change their professional lives, either quitting physically demanding jobs, reducing working hours, or starting their own businesses. The disease necessitates significant adjustments to daily routines.
Defining Severe Asthma and Treatment Challenges
Severe asthma is defined as asthma that remains uncontrolled despite optimized, maximum-intensity treatment and management of co-existing conditions, or asthma that worsens when medication dosages are reduced.
Limited Response to Standard Treatments
Patients with severe asthma often do not respond to standard treatments like corticosteroids. They exhibit more intense and persistent symptoms, such as shortness of breath and chest pain, and have a higher risk of co-morbidities like obesity, sleep apnea, and anxiety-depressive disorders.
Biological Therapy as an Effective Treatment Option
Severe asthma can be effectively and safely treated with biological therapy. This treatment improves both the emotional and psychological well-being of patients, alleviating symptoms, restoring normal functioning, and reducing anxiety.
Benefits of Biological Therapy Beyond Symptom Control
Patients receiving biological therapy report fewer hospital visits, more time for work or family, reduced need for sick leave, increased control over their condition, and financial savings due to decreased work absences.
Limited Access to Biological Therapies in Poland
However, only a small percentage of patients with severe asthma in Poland currently receive biological therapies through the National Health Fund’s program B.44.
The Importance of Early Diagnosis and Comprehensive Care
Raising awareness about severe asthma and available treatments is crucial. Early diagnosis, appropriate therapy, and strong patient-physician collaboration can significantly improve the quality of life, safety, and reduce fear for those living with this condition.