NEW YORK, NY -- (Marketwire) -- 09/05/10 -- Patients with uncontrolled asthma in Japan and the U.S. report having significantly worse quality of life and use significantly more healthcare resources than patients with controlled asthma, according to the National Health and Wellness Survey, conducted by Kantar Health and presented today at the 4th ISPOR (International Society for Pharmacoeconomic and Outcomes Research) Asia-Pacific Conference in Phuket, Thailand.

"Asthma affects over 300 million people worldwide, and our research shows that nearly half of asthma patients in Japan and the U.S. do not have their disease under control," says Marco DiBonaventura, Ph.D., Director of Health Economics and Outcomes Research at Kantar Health. "Even after controlling for demographics and patient characteristics, U.S. and Japanese patients with uncontrolled asthma reported significantly worse mental and physical quality of life compared with those whose asthma is controlled."

The National Health and Wellness Survey revealed that patients with uncontrolled asthma were hospitalized significantly more often than those with controlled asthma, especially in Japan. In addition, U.S. patients with uncontrolled asthma visited the ER significantly more often than patients whose asthma is under control.

"Asthma is one of the most common chronic conditions around the world," says Dr. DiBonaventura. "Given the substantial prevalence of uncontrolled asthma and the significantly greater burden of asthma on the healthcare system in both the U.S. and Japan, appropriate treatment and disease management should be reinforced in the healthcare community."

About the National Health and Wellness Survey (NHWS)
The study's results were drawn from the 2008 Japan National Health and Wellness Survey (NHWS) and the 2009 U.S. NHWS, a nationally representative, self-administered survey conducted annually via the Internet and in person surveys. Topics covered include the health status, attitudes, behaviors and outcomes among adults 18 or older.

Kantar Health conducts NHWS annually in the U.S., Europe and Asia. The survey is the largest self-reported database in the healthcare industry.

About Kantar Health (www.kantarhealth.com)
Kantar Health is a leading healthcare-focused global consultancy, specializing in portfolio optimization, market access, safety and outcomes, and brand and customer insights. Formed by uniting Consumer Health Sciences, MattsonJack, TNS Healthcare and Ziment, it is the next-generation decision support partner to the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, delivering evidence-based guidance to support clients' global and local success.

With 40+ offices throughout the Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, Kantar Health provides the broadest global footprint, coupled with the strongest local knowledge to help drive clients' maximum performance at the local level. Market-leading solutions ensure optimal decisions and actions across the brand life cycle, from assessing opportunities and sizing markets... to developing products and building access strategies... to positioning brands and creating messaging... to managing stakeholder relationships and monitoring treatment outcomes.