Physician/patient differences in the perception of asthma: impact on everyday life and level of the asthma control in Croatia.

The aim of the study was to compare physician/patient differences in the perception of asthma. The data were obtained by questionnaires from 156 physicians and 148 asthmatics in four urban regions in Croatia. On a "bad day", 62% of physicians and 16% of patients perceived respiratory symptoms with statistically significant difference. The patients described asthma impact in terms of reduced daily activities and experienced emotional problems. Asthma was estimated as controlled in 28% of adults and 49% of children, nevertheless, 45% of adults and 22% of children reported respiratory symptoms. The patients seem to be satisfied with asthma control that does not correspond to suppression of symptoms, whereas physicians neglect patients' emotional problems and asthma impact on everyday life. The differences in the perception of asthma may reflect differences in beliefs about health. Physicians see health as an absence of symptoms, whereas patients regard being healthy as "being able".