Patient perceptions of asthma control and remission: a qualitative evidence synthesis
1
School of Pharmacy, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
2
Te Kupenga Hauora Māori, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A2962
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease affecting over 339 million people worldwide, impacting quality of life, and is a significant cause of morbidity.1 Recent advances in asthma treatment, particularly biologics, have shifted management goals towards remission, especially for those with severe asthma.2 Expert consensus frameworks define remission as stabilized lung function, absence of symptoms, reduced systemic corticosteroid use, and patient-clinician agreement on remission.3 However, there is limited understanding of how asthma patients experience or perceive remission or asthma control. This study synthesizes available qualitative evidence exploring these patient perceptions and experiences.
METHODS:
A comprehensive literature search was conducted in September 2025 across MEDLINE, EMBASE, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and CINAHL using the Joanna Briggs Institute approach to study selection, critical appraisal, data extraction, and data synthesis.4 We included qualitative and mixed-methods studies reporting patients' or caregivers' experiences of asthma remission or improved control, and excluded purely quantitative, biomedical, provider-focused studies, as well as those that addressed asthma experience without a focus on remission or improved control.
RESULTS:
A total of 4441 records were obtained from the databases. After systematic deduplication, 2427 records underwent title and abstract screening, and 108 studies were retrieved for full-text review by two independent researchers. Six publications met the inclusion criteria. Using thematic analysis, five overarching themes were identified: (1) improved asthma symptoms, (2) improved physical function, (3) treatment burden reduction, (4) reduced frequency and severity of exacerbations, and (5) improved psychosocial health.
CONCLUSIONS:
Patients experience and perceive asthma remission or control as a concept that is beyond symptom relief. It includes the ability to perform daily activities, improved social functioning, reduced mental health symptoms, and reduced treatment burden. These findings highlight the importance of developing patient-reported outcome measures that capture patient perceptions and experiences, supporting more patient-centred care.
Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease affecting over 339 million people worldwide, impacting quality of life, and is a significant cause of morbidity.1 Recent advances in asthma treatment, particularly biologics, have shifted management goals towards remission, especially for those with severe asthma.2 Expert consensus frameworks define remission as stabilized lung function, absence of symptoms, reduced systemic corticosteroid use, and patient-clinician agreement on remission.3 However, there is limited understanding of how asthma patients experience or perceive remission or asthma control. This study synthesizes available qualitative evidence exploring these patient perceptions and experiences.
METHODS:
A comprehensive literature search was conducted in September 2025 across MEDLINE, EMBASE, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and CINAHL using the Joanna Briggs Institute approach to study selection, critical appraisal, data extraction, and data synthesis.4 We included qualitative and mixed-methods studies reporting patients' or caregivers' experiences of asthma remission or improved control, and excluded purely quantitative, biomedical, provider-focused studies, as well as those that addressed asthma experience without a focus on remission or improved control.
RESULTS:
A total of 4441 records were obtained from the databases. After systematic deduplication, 2427 records underwent title and abstract screening, and 108 studies were retrieved for full-text review by two independent researchers. Six publications met the inclusion criteria. Using thematic analysis, five overarching themes were identified: (1) improved asthma symptoms, (2) improved physical function, (3) treatment burden reduction, (4) reduced frequency and severity of exacerbations, and (5) improved psychosocial health.
CONCLUSIONS:
Patients experience and perceive asthma remission or control as a concept that is beyond symptom relief. It includes the ability to perform daily activities, improved social functioning, reduced mental health symptoms, and reduced treatment burden. These findings highlight the importance of developing patient-reported outcome measures that capture patient perceptions and experiences, supporting more patient-centred care.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
We process personal data collected when visiting the website. The function of obtaining information about users and their behavior is carried out by voluntarily entered information in forms and saving cookies in end devices. Data, including cookies, are used to provide services, improve the user experience and to analyze the traffic in accordance with the Privacy policy. Data are also collected and processed by Google Analytics tool (more).
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
