Figures from the National Health Service (NHS) show that 5.4 million people in the United Kingdom receive treatment for asthma, a chronic lung condition that can be managed but is incurable. The number translates to about one asthma sufferer in 12 adults and one in every 11 children in the UK.
In 2012, asthma was responsible for 1,250 deaths in the UK but a large percentage of these appear to have died of needless deaths. In the National Review of Asthma Deaths, doctors from the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) analyzed195 asthma-related deaths in the UK from 2012 to 2013 which include those of 28 children and found that over 70 percent of these deaths could have been prevented.
"We have known about the identifiable or preventable factors relating to asthma deaths since 1966," report co-author Mark Levy, a practicing GP from the Royal College of Physicians said. "The shocking and surprisingly sad thing about this report is that we still find preventable factors in over 70% of cases, some of which are pretty serious."
The review noted that many of those who died have overused their reliever inhalers months prior to their death suggesting that they were unable to properly manage their condition. These patients apparently tried to relieve the symptoms of asthma attacks by excessively using their reliever inhalers, which allowed them to breathe better but did not address the underlying problems. The authors have likewise said that the doctors should have noticed that they have repeatedly prescribed inhalers to these patients and should have taken action.
A tenth of those who died were also hospitalized for acute asthma attack within a month before they died. The report also revealed that 45 percent of those who died failed to call for help and more than half appear to be unaware of the seriousness of their condition as they were treated for just mild or moderate asthma.
Some of the patients may also be partly blamed for their deaths. Smoking has serious effects on asthma sufferers as this could irritate the airways making asthma symptoms worse. Smoking can also permanently damage the airways and lungs which could lead to increased risks for other lung problems such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Yet, 19 percent of those who died were smokers and others live in a home where people smoke.
