A European patient body has called on governments across the continent to make asthma a priority, in a comprehensive report on the impact of severe asthma symptoms.

'Fighting for breath', commissioned by the European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients' Associations (EFA), reveals the physical and psychological distress suffered by millions of Europeans who have serious asthma symptoms.

The study details the damaging impact on social and working lives, and recommends improvements to health policies, including increased patient education, reductions in air pollution levels, greater investment in research and awareness-raising campaigns.

Living in constant fear

At least 1.5 million Europeans with severe asthma symptoms are living in constant fear that an asthma attack will kill them, says the report, and a quarter have speech limiting attacks at least once a week.

The report paints a disturbing picture of personal lives disrupted and social lives curtailed due to severe asthma symptoms: 'My husband and I have separate bedrooms because he can't get any sleep,' said one woman.

'I don't have a partner, because who would want to put up with me coughing all night and bringing up phlegm?' asked another.

In the workplace there are similar stories: one in five reported losing out on job opportunities and 9% thought their asthma had cost them a promotion. Some people said they even had to leave their jobs or retire early.

Prioritisation of asthma needed

The European study echoes Asthma UK's 2004 report 'Living on a Knife Edge', which highlighted the huge impact of asthma on the lives of the 2.6 million people in the UK with severe asthma symptoms.

'People with severe asthma are suffering symptoms which have a significant impact on their home and work life,' said Martin Dockrell, Asthma UK's Assistant Director of Policy & Public Affairs. 'They have reduced capacity for personal and economic fulfilment, aggravating their sense of isolation and exclusion. The social, physical and psychological impact of asthma slices away at people's well-being, undermining their capacity to take control of their own asthma.'

'There is a need for higher prioritisation of asthma by national governments around Europe, which includes improvements in research and funding, and optimised treatment access for all patients,' commented Svein-Erik Myrseth, EFA President.

EFA, an alliance of 41 patient organisations in 23 countries, has called for increased patient education about asthma and treatment options, to help people with asthma and their families understand that a symptom-free life is achievable.

It is encouraging healthcare professionals to involve patients more fully in their care, by explaining the goals of asthma management, discussing patients' expectations, developing personalised action plans and proactively enquiring about patients' symptoms, quality of life and expectations.