Outcome in asthma is determined not only by pulmonary function or other biomedical characteristics, but also by illness perceptions, e.g., patients' subjective beliefs and emotional responses to their illness. Illness perceptions influence patients' coping and self-management behavior and outcome. Ad Kaptein and colleagues reviewed recent studies on associations between illness perceptions and outcome in patients with asthma with a range of respondents and caregivers, with varying degree of asthma severity, and in different settings of medical care. Most studies pertained to substantial numbers of patients. They have been performed in different countries, thus adding to the external validity of the findings. All studies reported substantial effects of illness perceptions on various categories of outcome: illness perceptions reflecting personal control over the illness are associated with a positive outcome, that is, asthma control. Findings pointed at the importance and clinical relevance of addressing patients' illness perceptions, and suggest that this may improve outcome in asthma care. Well-conducted intervention studies on this topic are called for in order to improve outcomes and quality of life in asthma patients.
WHAT THE STUDY MAY MEAN TO YOU AS A HEALTH CARE PROVIDER: Illness perceptions influenced the way in which patients with asthma cope and their self-management of the illness. Illness perceptions can be assessed quite easily and directly, they inform healthcare providers about the psychosocial responses of patients towards their asthma and are responsive to change in the clinical encounter or via self-management intervention training.

WHAT THE STUDY MAY MEAN TO YOU AS A PATIENT: Exploring patient's illness perceptions is a crucial component of good clinical care. It is hoped that more study be conducted on the topic in the future.

AA Kaptein et al. Illness perceptions: impact on self-management and control in asthma. Current Opinion in Allergy & Clinical Immunology, April 9, 2010.