34% vs 20%: how severe asthma affects survival

A new large-scale study published in the European Respiratory Journal shows that severe asthma significantly increases the risk of mortality compared to milder forms of the disease.

The analysis is based on data from more than 11,000 patients included in the Northern European NORDSTAR study, which tracked individuals with asthma for up to 20 years. The findings indicate that patients with severe asthma have nearly twice the risk of premature death compared to those with mild or moderate disease.

In numerical terms, the difference is striking: about 34% of patients with severe asthma died during the observation period, compared to approximately 20% in the group with less severe disease.

Importantly, the increased mortality is not driven solely by asthma attacks themselves. Researchers note that comorbidities—particularly cardiovascular diseases and cancer—play a major role. Direct deaths caused by asthma attacks were relatively rare.

The scientists emphasize that the key risk factor is not so much acute attacks as chronic inflammation, frequent exacerbations, and an overall decline in health among this group of patients.

Severe asthma is also more often accompanied by other medical conditions and requires more intensive monitoring.

It is estimated that severe asthma affects about 3–8% of all patients with this diagnosis. This group is characterized by frequent flare-ups, the need for hospitalization, and a more complex disease course.

The study authors stress that despite significant progress in asthma treatment, patients with severe disease remain a vulnerable group and require more precise, personalized therapy and closer medical supervision.