Prevalence of modifiable factors limiting treatment efficacy of poorly controlled asthma patients: EFIMERA observational study

NPJ Prim Care Respir Med. 2020 Jul 31;30(1):33. doi: 10.1038/s41533-020-00189-6.

Abstract

Several modifiable factors leading to poor asthma control have been described. We aimed to determine the proportion of patients with inadequate treatment, adherence to it, or critical mistakes with inhaler technique, and their impact on asthma control. We conducted a cross-sectional multicenter observational study including asthma patients referred from primary to specialist care for the first time. Data collected were adequate prescription according to guidelines, treatment adherence, and disease control. Of the 1682 patients (age 45 ± 17 years, 64.6% men), 35.9% showed inadequate prescription, 76.8% low adherence, and 17% critical mistakes with inhaler technique, with significantly less critical mistakes among Easyhaler users versus other dry powder inhaler users (10.3 versus 18.4%; p < 0.05). Factors related to bad asthma control were inadequate prescription (OR: 3.65), non-adherence to treatment (OR: 1.8), and inhaler misuse (OR: 3.03). A higher number of risk factors were associated with a higher probability of having badly controlled asthma.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anti-Asthmatic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Asthmatic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Asthma / drug therapy*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Dry Powder Inhalers
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Medication Adherence / statistics & numerical data
  • Middle Aged
  • Nebulizers and Vaporizers
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Anti-Asthmatic Agents