On-line Italian register for severe/non-controlled asthma

Background Severe/Non-controlled asthma (SNCA) is a crucial challenge for physicians and a socio-economic burden for National Health Services (NHS). In Italy more than 50% of costs for asthma (1-2% of total NHS expenditure) are due to SNCA and moreover, within the European Community Respiratory Health Survey, Italy was the country with the lowest % of ICS daily use (29%) and with the highest % of subjects with uncontrolled asthma despite treatment (67% vs an overall European mean of 47%). Despite few data from very selected centers, in our country a precise estimate of the epidemiological figures and the disease related costs for SNCA is not available. Thus, we aimed at instituting of an on-line Italian register for SNCA (Registro Italiano Asma Grave e Non Controllata) published on the website of the Italian Health Agency (Istituto Superiore di Sanita -ISS) and financed by the Italian Drug Agency (Agenzia Italiana per il Farmaco – AIFA). Objectives To assess in general population and in clinical settings the effectiveness of therapeutic strategies for SNCA, defined in accordance with GINA guidelines. Secondary objectives are: obtain clinical indicators of diagnostic and therapeutic appropriateness for SNCA, evaluate direct and indirect costs of this disease, obtain continuous monitoring of SNCA patients, some epidemiological figures and finally disseminate the use of the register among Italian clinical centers.