Attack, flare-up, or exacerbation? The terminology preferences of patients with severe asthma

Abstract

Background: People with severe asthma experience frequent life-threatening acute asthma events. A Lancet commission recently highlighted that terms "exacerbations" and "flare-ups" are seen to trivialize these episodes and recommended use of the term "attacks." Clinicians however, preferentially use the term "exacerbation" and some guidelines recommend the use of "exacerbation" with patients. Objective: This descriptive qualitative study aimed to understand the patient's experience and perspectives of these events and language used to describe them. Methods: Semi-structured one-on-one interviews were conducted in Australia and the UK in 18 people with severe asthma and 10 with mild-moderate a..