Workability in severe asthma
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A qualitative study of the impact of bio-psychosocial and cultural factors on employment and work ability in patients with severe asthma
IRAS ID
308678
Contact name
Gareth Walters
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Birmingham
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 7 months, 0 days
Research summary
Severe asthma describes asthma that is symptomatic despite adherence to high levels of treatment and control of other trigger factors (eg. acid reflux, sleep apnoea). It is considered as a separate group to mild or moderate disease, since it has several distinct clinical phenotypes, and represents less than 5% of all asthma. Although about half of patients with severe asthma are employed, poor asthma control may lead to periods of sick leave (absenteeism) or disability at work (presenteeism), more so than for mild/moderate asthma. Poor physical health status and clinical depression have both been implicated as reasons for this, but the relationship has not been investigated in depth, and may only partly explain the excess of absenteeism and work disability. We have hypothesised that there may be a variety of other socio-demographic, psychological and cultural factors that impact on ability to work in severe asthma. In order to explore these factors further, we intend to undertake qualitative research comprising interviews with patients with severe asthma, according to a semi-structured interview schedule including questions relating to all factors above; we will include a mixture of patients who are employed and those who are not. Patients will be recruited from the Birmingham Regional Severe Asthma Service at Heartlands Hospital, where the researchers are also core clinical team members. We will undertake thematic analysis with the data, and aim to interview patients until there is saturation of themes. The study will be disseminated by presentation to the Severe Asthma Service (patients and staff), at a respiratory conference, and by publication in a peer-reviewed paper.
REC name
London - Riverside Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/PR/0096
Date of REC Opinion
17 Feb 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion