Introduction: The purpose of this study was to assess the QOL of Canadian asthma sufferers (AS). Method: Telephone interviews were conducted with 829 Canadian AS age≥16 between Nov. 30, and Dec. 30, 1995. Sample was generated using random digit dialing, stratified by province. Results: A summated rating scale was created to measure the frequency of shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness, cough and sputum. Response options were: "never (0), occasionally (1), every day (2), many times a day (3), all the time (4)." Cronbach's alpha for the scale was .76. Scores (range 0-20) were divided into Occasional (0-5) (57% of AS), Frequent (6-8) (25% of AS) and Daily (9-20) (18% of AS). QOL questions included: "In the past 4 weeks, how much did your asthma: i) limit your physical activities; ii) cause emotional problems; iii) cause difficulty in doing your daily work; and iv) interfere with your normal social activities." Options were "not at all, slightly, moderately, quite a bit, and extremely". Another question was "How much time have you missed from [work/primary] activities in the last 4 weeks because of asthma?" Table 1 details the findidng. Table 1: % AS who experienced, in last 4 weeks, each limitation moderately or more and missed 1+ days of activity Frequency of Asthma Symptoms Total Occasion'l Frequent Daily Limitation: (829) (475) (209) (145) Physical activity 20% 8% 28% 45% Difficulty working 19% 8% 24% 46% Emotional problems 15% 7% 21% 30% Social function 12% 6% 14% 29% Miss 1+day of 14% 8% 17% 29% work/activity %report 1+above 36% 21% 46% 70% limitations Conclusion: Asthma has a negative effect on many asthma sufferers QOL, including some with occasional symptoms. The personal and work-related cost of this reduced QOL is notable. Most of those with frequent and daily symptoms could greaty benefit from better control.