Lower physician estimate of underlying asthma severity leads to undertreatment.

Abstract
ASTHMA, CHARACTERIZED by intermittent, reversible airway obstruction, is a chronic disease that leads to considerable morbidity and health care utilization. There is substantial evidence that undertreatment of asthma is common,1-6 despite the availability of national treatment guidelines since 1991.7-10 There are many causes of asthma undertreatment, including patients' nonadherence to prescribed asthma treatment.11 However, physicians' nonadherence to national guidelines recommendations may also play an important role.12-14