Figure 5

(A) Frequency of discussions about short- and long-term side effects of asthma medications. Physician questions: When you prescribe asthma medications to your patients, how often do you discuss local side effects such as oral thrush, pharyngitis or hoarseness? When you prescribe asthma medications to your patients, how often do you discuss the potential for systemic side effects such as osteoporosis, cataracts or glaucoma? Patient questions: How often do you or did you discuss short-term side effects of your asthma medication related to your mouth or throat--such as fungal infection, sore throat or hoarseness--with your doctor or health care professional? How often do you or did you discuss long-term side effects of your asthma medication--such as weight gain, weakening of the bones or changing bone density, cataracts or glaucoma--with your doctor or other health care professional? (B) Frequency of physicians informing patients of being prescribed an ICS. When you prescribe inhaled corticosteroids alone or in combination, on average, what percent of the time do you tell your patients that they will be taking a steroid?