European physician perspectives on multimorbidity in severe asthma: findings from SHARP CRC

Introduction: Severe asthma (SA) is often accompanied by several comorbidities, which can negatively impact both asthma control and quality of life. Multimorbidity (MM) refers to the presence of at least 2 co-existing conditions and can present significant clinical challenges but is often under recognised. Available resources to address MM in SA and Physician perspectives of MM in SA are unclear.

Aim: To investigate available multidisciplinary team (MDT) resources for SA and physician perspectives on MM in patients with SA across Europe.

Methods: An online survey was circulated via National Respiratory Societies within SHARP to assess available resources to address MM and physician perspectives about MM across Europe.

Results: 296 responses were recorded from 21 European countries – 37% SA specialists, 43% general respiratory physicians and 20% other physicians. 38% of physicians had access to an MDT to support asthma care. The main limitations for MDT availability were lack of time (26%) and funding (23%). Most physicians rated MM as highly impacting both global health (84%) and adverse asthma outcomes (78%) and 83% reported considering MM when managing SA. However, only 52% felt highly experienced to manage MM in SA and high training needs were reported. Only 29% felt that primary care awareness of MM in SA was good and 20% felt that patient learning resources about MM were adequate.

Conclusion: Awareness in European respiratory physicians about MM in SA patients is high but access to MDT support resources to address MM, training to manage MM optimally, primary care awareness of MM and inadequate patient learning resources about MM in SA were identified as key gaps that need to be addressed.