Patterns of increasing beta-agonist use and the risk of fatal or near-fatal asthma

The Acute Effects of the Use of Salbutamol and Ipratropium on the Heart Rates of Patients With Obstructive Airway Disease

Background The cornerstone of pharmaceutical therapy for obstructive airway illnesses involves inhalation of bronchodilators, such as ipratropium bromide (IP) and salbutamol (SB). The heart rate regulation may be changed by β-2 agonists and anticholinergic medications. Investigating the impact of inhaled SB and IP on the heart rate was the goal of this study. Methods A total of 304 patients were enrolled in this investigation. Baseline demographic characteristics, medical history, and adverse events were documented. Their heart rates were monitored before and after bronchodilator administration. SB and IP were selected based on historical usage. Blood pressure readings were also taken before and after each session. Results There was a significant increase in heart rates after SB from a mean of 106.69 to 117.20. Similarly, the heart rate of the patients in the IP group increased to a mean of 106.95 from 93.44, with a statistically significant p-value. Moreover, tremors were the most common adverse effect, accounting for 85.3% of the patients in the IP group and 75% in the SB group. In contrast, palpitation was more common in the SB group 25% vs. 14.7% with a significant p-value. Conclusion Frequently administered dosages of SB and IP caused a considerable increase in heart rates, as well as tremors and palpitation.

European Respiratory Society short guidelines for the use of as-needed ICS/formoterol in mild asthma

Recent clinical trials of as-needed fixed-dose combination of inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)/formoterol have provided new evidence that may warrant a reconsideration of current practice. A Task Force was set up by the European Respiratory Society to provide evidence-based recommendations on the use of as-needed ICS/formoterol as treatment for mild asthma. The Task Force defined two questions that were assessed using the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation) approach. The Task Force utilised the outcomes to develop recommendations for a pragmatic guideline for everyday clinical practice. The Task Force suggests that adults with mild asthma use as-needed ICS/formoterol instead of regular ICS maintenance treatment plus as-needed short-acting β2-antagonist (SABA) and that adolescents with mild asthma use either as-needed ICS/formoterol or ICS maintenance treatment plus as-needed SABA (conditional recommendation; low certainty of evidence). The recommendation for adults places a relatively higher value on the reduction of systemic corticosteroid use and the outcomes related to exacerbations, and a relatively lower value on the small differences in asthma control. Either treatment option is suggested for adolescent patients as the balance is very close and data more limited. The Task Force recommends that adult and adolescent patients with mild asthma use as-needed ICS/formoterol instead of as-needed SABA (strong recommendation; low certainty of evidence). This recommendation is based on the benefit of as-needed ICS/formoterol in mild asthma on several outcomes and the risks related to as-needed SABA in the absence of anti-inflammatory treatment. The implementation of this recommendation is hampered in countries (including European Union countries) where as-needed ICS/formoterol is not approved for mild asthma.

Methods to assess COPD medications adherence in healthcare databases: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease 2023 report recommends medication adherence assessment in COPD as an action item. Healthcare databases provide opportunities for objective assessments; however, multiple methods exist. We aimed to systematically review the literature to describe existing methods to assess adherence in COPD in healthcare databases and to evaluate the reporting of influencing variables.

METHOD

We searched MEDLINE, Web of Science and Embase for peer-reviewed articles evaluating adherence to COPD medication in electronic databases, written in English, published up to 11 October 2022 (PROSPERO identifier CRD42022363449). Two reviewers independently conducted screening for inclusion and performed data extraction. Methods to assess initiation (dispensing of medication after prescribing), implementation (extent of use over a specific time period) and/or persistence (time from initiation to discontinuation) were listed descriptively. Each included study was evaluated for reporting variables with an impact on adherence assessment: inpatient stays, drug substitution, dose switching and early refills.

RESULTS

160 studies were included, of which four assessed initiation, 135 implementation and 45 persistence. Overall, one method was used to measure initiation, 43 methods for implementation and seven methods for persistence. Most of the included implementation studies reported medication possession ratio, proportion of days covered and/or an alteration of these methods. Only 11% of the included studies mentioned the potential impact of the evaluated variables.

CONCLUSION

Variations in adherence assessment methods are common. Attention to transparency, reporting of variables with an impact on adherence assessment and rationale for choosing an adherence cut-off or treatment gap is recommended.

Regular (up to 10 puffs 4-hourly) inhaled salbutamol should be prescribed at discharge after an asthma attack: myth or maxim?

Over the past 20 years, the concept of asthma weaning plans on discharge after an attack has crept into common practice, although the precise origin of these plans is unclear. High use of short-acting β2-agonists (SABAs) may result in tolerance to their bronchodilator effects, thus diminishing their efficacy, particularly when they are most needed at the time of an acute attack. Furthermore, key warning signs of a deterioration in asthma control may be masked and the weaning plan may encourage the over-use and over-reliance on SABAs. Side-effects from over-use may also occur, including lactic acidosis, downregulation of the β2-adrenoreceptor, increased allergen response and pro-inflammatory effects. The need for asthma education at discharge, a personal asthma action plan and vigilance about prescribing and ensuring adherence to maintenance therapy are definitely important. However, the current authors conclude that the benefit of prescribing regular salbutamol (up to 10 puffs every 4 h) at discharge after an acute asthma attack is a myth, and a very dangerous one.

Open and Closed Triple Inhaler Therapy in Patients with Uncontrolled Asthma

Long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMAs) are a class of inhalers that has recently been included as add-on therapy in the GINA guidelines, either in a single inhaler device with inhaled corticosteroids plus long-acting β2-agonists (ICS + LABA) (closed triple inhaler therapy) or in a separate one (open triple inhaler therapy). This review summarizes the existing evidence on the addition of LAMAs in patients with persistently uncontrolled asthma despite ICS + LABA treatment based on clinical efficacy in the reduction of asthma symptoms and exacerbations, the improvement in lung function, and its safety profile.

Evaluating as-needed inhaled corticosteroid strategies in asthma: expanding the benefits to mild asthma

INTRODUCTION

Adherence to regular anti-inflammatory treatment is commonly low, and short-acting β2 agonist (SABA) overuse is common in patients with asthma, leading to an increased risk of asthma-related adverse events.

AREAS COVERED

Given the pivotal role of inflammation in asthma, multiple as-needed inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)-containing therapies have been developed, leading to a reduction in asthma exacerbations and improvement in symptom control. Currently, as-needed ICS/formoterol is one of the most commonly available formulations; however, other combinations such as ICS/SABA have been shown to be superior to as-needed SABA alone. Therefore, we performed a comprehensive review of the available scientific literature to enhance the advantages and disadvantages of each combination in clinical practice.

EXPERT OPINION

The future direction we foresee in asthma management consists in abandoning as-needed short-acting bronchodilators in favor of as-needed ICS-containing therapies. Each patient is unique and differs from others; consequently, a single option will not fit everyone. Patients' and physicians' awareness of this perspective can be reached through the development of multiple therapeutic options suitable for each condition that can be found in 'real life'.

Key recommendations for primary care from the 2022 Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) update

The Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) was established in 1993 by the World Health Organization and the US National Heart Lung and Blood Institute to improve asthma awareness, prevention and management worldwide. GINA develops and publishes evidence-based, annually updated resources for clinicians. GINA guidance is adopted by national asthma guidelines in many countries, adapted to fit local healthcare systems, practices, and resource availability. GINA is independent of industry, funded by the sale and licensing of its materials. This review summarizes key practical guidance for primary care from the 2022 GINA strategy report. It provides guidance on confirming the diagnosis of asthma using spirometry or peak expiratory flow. GINA recommends that all adults, adolescents and most children with asthma should receive inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)-containing therapy to reduce the risk of severe exacerbations, either taken regularly, or (for adults and adolescents with "mild" asthma) as combination ICS-formoterol taken as needed for symptom relief. For patients with moderate-severe asthma, the preferred regimen is maintenance-and-reliever therapy (MART) with ICS-formoterol. Asthma treatment is not "one size fits all"; GINA recommends individualized assessment, adjustment, and review of treatment. As many patients with difficult-to-treat or severe asthma are not referred early for specialist review, we provide updated guidance for primary care on diagnosis, further investigation, optimization and treatment of severe asthma across secondary and tertiary care. While the GINA strategy has global relevance, we recognize that there are special considerations for its adoption in low- and middle-income countries, particularly the current poor access to inhaled medications.

Salbutamol in the Management of Asthma: A Review

Asthma is a common inflammatory disease of the lungs. The prevalence of asthma is increasing worldwide, and the tendency indicates that the number of asthma sufferers will soar in the coming years for several reasons, in particular, the lifestyles we have adopted that expose us to risk factors. Salbutamol is the first selective short-acting β2-agonist (SABA) used as an alternative reliever in the treatment of asthma. Its therapeutic effect is based on its potent smooth muscle relaxant properties, which allow the inhibition of bronchial smooth muscle contraction and subsequent bronchodilation. Salbutamol can be administered orally, intravenously (IV), intramuscularly (IM), subcutaneously, or by inhalation. For this reason, the pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters-absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination-are highly diverse and, consequently, the efficacy and adverse effects also differ between each formulation. Here, we review the pharmacological profile of different salbutamol formulations, focusing on their efficacy and adverse effects for its original application, asthma.

Long-Term Use of Short-Acting β2-Agonists in Patients With Adult-Onset Asthma

BACKGROUND

Short-term studies have associated high use of short-acting β₂-agonists (SABA) with increased risk of exacerbations, emergency visits, and asthma-related costs. However, no studies exist on long-term SABA use, and previous studies on the topic have not included information about adherence to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) nor disease control, both affecting the need of SABA.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the clinical characteristics of SABA and ICS usage in newly diagnosed adult-onset asthma patients during a 12-year follow-up period.

METHODS

In the Seinäjoki Adult Asthma Study, 203 patients with adult-onset asthma were followed for 12 years. Information on dispensed SABA and ICS during the follow-up was obtained from the Finnish Social Insurance Institution. High SABA use was defined as ≥36 canisters in 12 years, corresponding to an average of ≥3 dispensed canisters/y.

RESULTS

Patients were dispensed median 6 (interquartile range: 3-16) SABA canisters and 48 (18-67) ICS canisters over 12 years, corresponding to 2 (1-4) and 11 (5-16) puffs/week, respectively. Only 10% of the patients were classified as high SABA users during this period. Obesity (body mass index ≥30) and high Airways Questionnaire 20 symptom scores at baseline predicted high long-term SABA use (incidence rate ratio: 1.53 [1.01-2.30] and 1.04 [1.00-1.08], respectively). High SABA users had higher ICS adherence, higher blood neutrophil counts, more comorbidities, and used more oral corticosteroid and antibiotic courses versus low SABA users.

CONCLUSION

High SABA use was infrequent in patients with confirmed adult-onset asthma. However, as high SABA use is associated with more severe asthma, these patients should be recognized in clinical practice.

Gulf Asthma Diagnosis and Management in Adults: Expert Review and Recommendations

The prevalence and incidence of asthma are increasing globally because of genetic and environmental influences. Prevalence of asthma in the Gulf has been reported to range from 4.7% to 32.0% and has a substantial economic burden. In this paper, we summarize current asthma management guidance for adults, present insights, and recommendations by key opinion leaders (KOLs) in the Gulf region, and key performance indicators for guiding clinical practice for asthma diagnosis, management, and treatment in the Gulf. While it is recommended that the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guidelines should be followed wherever possible for the management of asthma, KOLs in the Gulf region have presented additional recommendations based on regional challenges and insights. There is a need for better diagnosis using objective testing, increased efforts in tackling the burden of comorbidities in the region, and greater provision of the necessary tools for phenotyping severe asthma. Furthermore, there is a need for greater education for physicians regarding asthma treatment, including the importance of inhaled-corticosteroid-containing controller medication. Regionally, there is also a need for specialist asthma clinics and asthma educators, which would serve to educate physicians and their patients as well as to improve the management of patients. Finally, the use of asthma registries, digital devices, and electronic templates would be of benefit in the management of asthma patients in the region.

α and β Catalytic Subunits of cAMP-dependent Protein Kinase Regulate Formoterol-induced Inflammatory Gene Expression Changes in Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells

BACKGROUND & PURPOSE

It has been proposed that genomic mechanisms contribute to the adverse-effects that are often experienced by asthmatic subjects who take regular, inhaled β₂ -adrenoceptor agonists as a monotherapy. Moreover, data from preclinical models of asthma suggest that these gene expression changes are mediated by β-arrestin-2 rather than PKA. Herein, we tested this hypothesis by comparing the genomic effects of formoterol, a β₂ -adrenoceptor agonist, with forskolin in human primary bronchial epithelial cells (HBEC).

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

Gene expression changes were determined by RNA-sequencing. Gene silencing and genome editing were employed to explore the roles of β-arrestin-2 and PKA.

KEY RESULTS

The formoterol-regulated transcriptome in HBEC treated concurrently with TNFα, was defined by 1480 unique gene expression changes. TNFα-induced transcripts modulated by formoterol were annotated with enriched gene ontology terms related to inflammation and proliferation, notably "GO:0070374~positive regulation of ERK1 and ERK2 cascade", which is an established β-arrestin-2 target. However, expression of the formoterol- and forskolin-regulated transcriptomes were highly rank-order correlated and the effects of formoterol on TNFα-induced inflammatory genes were abolished by an inhibitor of PKA. Furthermore, formoterol-induced gene expression changes in BEAS-2B bronchial epithelial cell clones deficient in β-arrestin-2 were comparable to those expressed by their parental counterparts. Contrariwise, gene expression was partially inhibited in clones lacking the α-catalytic subunit (Cα) of PKA and abolished following the additional knockdown of the β-catalytic subunit (Cβ) paralogue.

CONCLUSIONS

The effects of formoterol on inflammatory gene expression in airway epithelia are mediated by PKA and involve the cooperation of PKA-Cα and PKA-Cβ.

Reducing short-acting beta-agonist overprescribing in asthma: lessons from a quality-improvement prescribing project in East London

BACKGROUND

Excess prescription and use of short-acting beta-agonist (SABA) inhalers is associated with poor asthma control and increased risk of hospital admission.

AIM

To quantify the prevalence and identify the predictors of SABA overprescribing.

DESIGN AND SETTING

A cross-sectional study using anonymised clinical and prescribing data from the primary care records in three contiguous East London boroughs.

METHOD

Primary care medical record data for patients aged 5-80 years, with 'active' asthma were extracted in February 2020. Explanatory variables included demography, asthma management, comorbidities, and prescriptions for asthma medications.

RESULTS

In the study population of 30 694 people with asthma, >25% (1995/7980), were prescribed ≥6 SABA inhalers in the previous year. A 10-fold variation between practices (<6% to 60%) was observed in the proportion of patients on ≥6 SABA inhalers/year. By converting both SABAs and inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) to standard units the accuracy of comparisons was improved across different preparations. In total, >25% of those taking ≥6 SABAs/year were underusing ICSs, this rose to >80% (18 170/22 713), for those prescribed <6 SABAs/year. Prescription modality was a strong predictor of SABA overprescribing, with repeat dispensing strongly linked to SABA overprescribing (odds ratio 6.52, 95% confidence interval = 4.64 to 9.41). Increasing severity of asthma and multimorbidity were also independent predictors of SABA overprescribing.

CONCLUSION

In this multi-ethnic population a fifth of practices demonstrate an overprescribing rate of <20% a year. Based on previous data, supporting practices to enable the SABA ≥12 group to reduce to 4-12 a year could potentially save up to 70% of asthma admissions a year within that group.

SABA Overuse in Russia – Burden and Possible Causes: An Analysis of the Russian Population in the SABINA III (SABA use IN Asthma) Study

Background

Short-acting β2-agonists (SABA) overuse is associated with asthma morbidity and mortality. The SABA use IN Asthma (SABINA) program aimed to describe the global use of SABA in patients with asthma. SABINA III study was a cross-sectional study covering 24 countries.

Methods

We performed statistical analysis of the Russian population (618 patients recruited in 12 centers) from the SABINA III study. In this study in patients aged ≥12 years, data on disease characteristics and asthma treatments were collected using real-time electronic case report forms. Patients were classified by asthma severity and control according to the 2017 GINA. All variables (asthma severity and control, number of severe exacerbations, SABA and other medications use) were analyzed descriptively only, no hypothesis was tested.

Results

Majority of the study population consisted of patients with moderate/severe asthma (78.5%), while mild asthma was seen in 21.5%. Asthma was uncontrolled in 36.1% of patients and partly controlled in 33.5%. More than 80% of patients were treated with ICS/LABA fixed-dose combination. Almost half of all patients (47.0%) had at least 1 severe exacerbation in the previous 12 months. SABA over-prescription (≥3 canisters per year) was seen in 37% of patients. The frequency of SABA over-prescription was similar in patients with mild (35%) and moderate/severe (38%) asthma. SABA was purchased over-the-counter (OTC) in the past 12 months by 30.1% of all patients, and 14% purchased ≥3 canisters of SABA per year. About 91% of patients who purchased SABA OTC already received prescriptions for SABA, of whom 59% were prescribed ≥3 canisters per year.

Conclusion

Russia is seeing very high level of SABA over-prescription. This is potentially associated with poor asthma control and frequent severe exacerbations. Over-prescription may serve as the main cause for SABA overuse in Russia. To reduce SABA overuse and improve overall asthma control in Russia, it is necessary to educate not just the patients but also the doctors, while actively implementing up-to-date asthma treatments.

Omalizumab: An Optimal Choice for Patients with Severe Allergic Asthma

Omalizumab is the first monoclonal antibody that was globally approved as a personalized treatment option for patients with moderate-to-severe allergic asthma. This review summarizes the knowledge of almost two decades of use of omalizumab to answer some important everyday clinical practice questions, concerning its efficacy and safety and its association with other asthma-related and drug-related parameters. Evidence suggests that omalizumab improves asthma control and reduces the incidence and frequency of exacerbations in patients with severe allergic asthma. Omalizumab is also effective in those patients in reducing corticosteroid use and healthcare utilization, while it also seems to improve lung function. Several biomarkers have been recognized in predicting its efficacy in its target group of patients, while the optimal duration for evaluating its efficacy is between 16 and 32 weeks.

Modeling future asthma attributable to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in a changing climate: a health impact assessment

Exposure to fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) is associated with asthma development as well as asthma exacerbation in children. PM_2.5 can be directly emitted or can form in the atmosphere from pollutant precursors. PM_2.5 emitted and formed in the atmosphere is influenced by meteorology; future changes in climate may alter the concentration and distribution of PM_2.5. Our aim is to estimate the future burden of climate change and PM_2.5 on new and exacerbated cases of childhood asthma. Projected concentrations of PM_2.5 are based on the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory Coupled Model version 3 climate model, the Representative Concentration Pathway 8.5 greenhouse gas scenario, and two air pollution emissions datasets: a 2011 emissions dataset and a 2040 emissions dataset that reflects substantial reductions in emissions of PM_2.5 as compared to the 2011 inventory. We estimate additional PM_2.5-attributable asthma as well as PM_2.5-attributable albuterol inhaler use for four future years (2030, 2050, 2075, and 2095) relative to the year 2000. Exacerbations, regardless of the trigger, are counted as attributable to PM_2.5 if the incident disease is attributable to PM_2.5. We project 38 thousand (95% CI 36, 39 thousand) additional PM_2.5-attributable incident childhood asthma cases and 29 million (95% CI 27, 31 million) additional PM_2.5-attributable albuterol inhaler uses per year in 2030, increasing to 200 thousand (95% CI 190, 210 thousand) additional incident cases and 160 million (95% CI 150, 160 million) inhaler uses per year by 2095 relative to 2000 under the 2011 emissions dataset. These additional PM_2.5-attributable incident asthma cases and albuterol inhaler use would cost billions of additional U.S. dollars per year by the late century. These outcomes could be mitigated by reducing air pollution emissions.

Efficacy and safety of as-needed albuterol/budesonide versus albuterol in adults and children aged ≥4 years with moderate-to-severe asthma: rationale and design of the randomised, double-blind, active-controlled MANDALA study

Introduction

Uncontrolled asthma is associated with substantial morbidity. While fast-acting bronchodilators provide quick relief from asthma symptoms, their use as rescue fails to address the underlying inflammation. Combining a short-acting beta₂-agonist, such as albuterol (salbutamol), with an inhaled corticosteroid, such as budesonide, in a single inhaler as rescue therapy could help control both bronchoconstriction and inflammation, and reduce the risk of asthma exacerbations.

Methods and analysis

The Phase 3 MANDALA study was designed to determine the efficacy of albuterol in combination with budesonide (albuterol/budesonide 180/160 µg or 180/80 µg, two actuations of 90/80 µg or 90/40 µg, respectively) versus albuterol (180 µg, two actuations of 90 µg) as rescue therapy in adult, adolescent and paediatric patients with moderate-to-severe asthma. This event-driven study enrolled symptomatic patients (3000 adults/adolescents and 100 children aged 4–11 years) who experienced ≥1 severe asthma exacerbation in the previous year and were receiving maintenance therapy for ≥3 months prior to study entry. The primary efficacy endpoint was time-to-first severe asthma exacerbation.

Ethics and dissemination

The study was conducted in accordance with the ethical principles that have their origin in the Declaration of Helsinki, and that are consistent with International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use and Good Clinical Practice and the applicable regulatory requirements.

Trial registration

NCT03769090.

Management of Children with Acute Asthma Attack: A RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Approach

Bronchial asthma is the most frequent chronic disease in children and affects up to 20% of the pediatric population, depending on the geographical area. Asthma symptoms vary over time and in intensity, and acute asthma attack can resolve spontaneously or in response to therapy. The aim of this project was to define the care pathway for pediatric patients who come to the primary care pediatrician or Emergency Room with acute asthmatic access. The project was developed in the awareness that for the management of these patients, broad coordination of interventions in the pre-hospital phase and the promotion of timely and appropriate assistance modalities with the involvement of all health professionals involved are important. Through the application of the RAND method, which obliges to discuss the statements derived from the guidelines, there was a clear increase in the concordance in the behavior on the management of acute asthma between primary care pediatricians and hospital pediatricians. The RAND method was found to be useful for the selection of good practices forming the basis of an evidence-based approach, and the results obtained form the basis for further interventions that allow optimizing the care of the child with acute asthma attack at the family and pediatric level. An important point of union between the primary care pediatrician and the specialist hospital pediatrician was the need to share spirometric data, also including the use of new technologies such as teleconsultation. Monitoring the progress of asthma through spirometry could allow the pediatrician in the area to intervene early by modifying the maintenance therapy and help the patient to achieve good control of the disease.

Long-term predictors of severe exacerbations and mortality in a cohort of well-characterised adults with asthma

Background

We aimed to explore long-term predictors of severe exacerbations and mortality in adults with well-characterised asthma.

Study design and methods

Adults (aged ≥ 15) with an objectively verified diagnosis of asthma were recruited from a Danish respiratory outpatient clinic between 1974 and 1990. All individuals were followed in Danish registries for vital status, hospital admissions for asthma and cause of death until end of 2017. Predictors of exacerbations were obtained from a repeated measures model. Standardised mortality rates (SMR) for all-causes were compared with the Danish background population. Hazard ratios for mortality were obtained from a cox proportional hazards model in a two-step process.

Results

At baseline, the cohort comprised 1071 patients (mean age 38, SD 16, 61% women), of whom 357 (33%) died during follow-up, with 93 (26%) dying from asthma (primary diagnosis). We found an SMR of 1.24 (95% CI 1.11–1.37, p < 0.001) for all-cause mortality. Baseline predictors for asthma-related death and repeated severe exacerbations were increasing age, ever smoker, FEV₁ < 80% pred., high blood eosinophils, longer duration of symptoms and use of SABA > twice daily. Being non-atopic, having a positive histamine challenge test and symptoms more than twice a week were also predictors of repeated exacerbations.

Conclusions

Markers of poor asthma control, including high use of SABA, are predictors of long-term exacerbation rate and mortality over 30 years in patients with well-characterised asthma. Improving asthma control, including lung function and reducing use of reliever medication, is vital for improving the long-term outcome of asthma.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12931-021-01864-z.

Conducting Real-world Evidence Studies on the Clinical Outcomes of Diabetes Treatments

Real-world evidence (RWE), the understanding of treatment effectiveness in clinical practice generated from longitudinal patient-level data from the routine operation of the healthcare system, is thought to complement evidence on the efficacy of medications from randomized controlled trials (RCTs). RWE studies follow a structured approach. (1) A design layer decides on the study design, which is driven by the study question and refined by a medically informed target population, patient-informed outcomes, and biologically informed effect windows. Imagining the randomized trial we would ideally perform before designing an RWE study in its likeness reduces bias; the new-user active comparator cohort design has proven useful in many RWE studies of diabetes treatments. (2) A measurement layer transforms the longitudinal patient-level data stream into variables that identify the study population, the pre-exposure patient characteristics, the treatment, and the treatment-emergent outcomes. Working with secondary data increases the measurement complexity compared to primary data collection that we find in most RCTs. (3) An analysis layer focuses on the causal treatment effect estimation. Propensity score analyses have gained in popularity to minimize confounding in healthcare database analyses. Well-understood investigator errors, like immortal time bias, adjustment for causal intermediates, or reverse causation, should be avoided. To increase reproducibility of RWE findings, studies require full implementation transparency. This article integrates state-of-the-art knowledge on how to conduct and review RWE studies on diabetes treatments to maximize study validity and ultimately increased confidence in RWE-based decision making.

Characteristics of Reliever Inhaler Users and Asthma Control: A Cross-Sectional Multicenter Study in Portuguese Community Pharmacies

PURPOSE

SABA overuse might indicate poorly managed or uncontrolled asthma and be responsible for poor health outcomes. The aim of this study integrated in new fourth multi-design SABINA+ pillar was to characterize the population using short-acting β2-agonists for asthma and examine the patterns of its use among community pharmacy customers in Portugal, as well as identify characteristics associated with disease control and explore potential differences between GINA treatment steps.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This cross-sectional multicenter study was conducted in Portuguese community pharmacies between 29 May 2018 and 15 August 2018. Participants were adults (age ≥18 years) self-reporting asthma diagnosis recruited in the context of a short-acting β2-agonist dispense. A two-part questionnaire (pharmacist interview and self-administered) was used to collect information about sociodemographic characteristics, comorbidities, reliever inhaler use, healthcare resource consumption and self-reported disease control (assessed by the Control of Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma Test - CARAT®). Descriptive statistics was done to characterize the study sample. After categorizing patients according to GINA steps, based on their therapeutic regimen, we performed an exploratory subgroup analysis to evaluate if there were any differences between such groups in terms of the variables collected. A logistic regression was used to identify the potential determinants of overall disease control.

RESULTS

Around 50.8% of patients were male, and the average age was 52 years old. Half of the patients never smoked, and 51.9% were employed. More than half of the patients report inhaler overreliance - purchasing more than 1 pack in 3 months (65.0%) or using the inhaler on more than 8 days over the previous 4 weeks (50.2%). Of the total number of patients in the study, 79.1% had poorly controlled asthma symptoms, and 78.7% had overall poorly controlled respiratory symptoms. We found statistically significant differences between GINA treatment steps in all sociodemographic characteristics (sex, mean age, education level, employment status); maximum number of SABA uses in 24h, CARAT score (total an asthma sub-score); history of exacerbations requiring ED visits or treatment with OCS for at least 3 days in the previous 12 months. Logistic regression revealed that patients reporting SABA use in more than 8 days in the previous 4 weeks and patients with at least 1 exacerbation requiring treatment with OCS for at least 3 days in the previous 12 months have greater odds of poor disease control [adjusted OR (95% CI): 2.6 (1.3-5.2) and 3.0 (1.3-6.6)].

CONCLUSION

Based on the results of this study, it can be inferred that the asthma population using SABA is largely uncontrolled and uses reliever inhalers excessively.

The Burden of Short-Acting β2-Agonist Use in Asthma: Is There an Italian Case? An Update from SABINA Program

Introduction

Preliminary results from the SABINA (SABA use INAsthma) program showed lower overuse of short-acting β₂-agonist (SABA) in Italy compared to other European countries. The aim of the present study was to ascertain whether SABINA’s results might have been affected by the Italian National Health System and pharmaceutical market dynamics, by examining patients’ characteristics in relation to SABA prescription/purchase habits.

Methods

Multiple approaches were used: (1) a retrospective study using the General Practitioners’ (GPs) Italian IQVIA Longitudinal Patient Database (LPD) to assess SABA overuse (more than two canisters/year) and its association with exacerbation risk; (2) a survey conducted across 200 Italian pharmacies to calculate the proportions of SABA purchases without a prescription; (3) a cross-sectional study on the specialists’ IQVIA Patient Analyzer database to understand the SABA prescription habits of specialists.

Results

Among SABA users identified through IQVIA LPD, the proportion of patients having more than two SABA canisters/year was 32%. Overall, patients prescribed more than two SABA canisters/year by GPs had 30% higher risk of exacerbations than patients with a maximum of two SABA canisters/year. The joint evaluation of IQVIA LPD and survey’s findings revealed that IQVIA LPD tracks three out of four SABA canisters dispensed. The survey showed that, on average, SABA users purchased four canisters/year. Patients prescribed SABA by specialists were more frequently men, younger, thinner, and had higher spirometry values.

Conclusion

SABA overuse is common in Italy, with a share of consumption not regulated by medical prescriptions. Because SABA overuse increases exacerbation risk, changes to national guidelines should be encouraged to ensure implementation of global recommendations.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12325-021-01772-0.

Prevalence of overuse of short-acting beta-2 agonists (SABA) and associated factors among patients with asthma in Germany

BACKGROUND

Overuse of short-acting beta-2 agonists (SABA), which do not treat the underlying inflammation of asthma, is linked to poor clinical outcomes such as increased exacerbation risk. This study, as part of the SABINA program, estimated the prevalence of SABA overuse and associated variables in outpatients in Germany.

METHODS

This retrospective study used anonymized electronic healthcare data from the Disease Analyzer database (IQVIA). A total of 15,640 patients aged ≥ 12 years with asthma who received ≥ 1 SABA prescription(s) between July 2017 and June 2018 in 924 general physician and 22 pneumologist (PN) practices were included. SABA overuse was defined as ≥ 3 prescribed inhalers (~ 200 puffs each) during the study period. The associations between SABA overuse and physician specialty, Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) steps (based on asthma medications), age, sex, and inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)/long-acting beta agonist (LABA) use were estimated using multivariable regression for patients with probable moderate (GINA step 2) and probable severe (GINA steps 3-5) asthma.

RESULTS

Annually, 36% of all patients (GINA steps 1-5) in general and 38% in PN practices received ≥ 3 SABA inhalers. The risk of SABA overuse was 14% higher in patients treated by a general practitioner vs. a PN; 34% and 85% higher in GINA steps 4 and 5, respectively, vs. GINA step 3; and 40% higher in male vs. female patients.

CONCLUSIONS

SABA overuse is prevalent among patients with asthma across all GINA steps in Germany, which may indicate suboptimal asthma control. Further studies are needed to investigate the reasons behind SABA overuse.

Acute severe asthma: management and treatment

Patients with acute asthma attack usually access the emergency room with severe functional impairment, despite low perception of symptoms. In this scenario, early functional assessment is essential focusing on vital parameters and respiratory function, alongside perceived dyspnea. Impairment of ventilatory mechanics due to progressive dynamic pulmonary hyperinflation should be promptly treated with medical inhalation and/or intravenous therapy, reserving intensive treatment in case of non-response and/or worsening of the clinical conditions. Therapeutic planning at patient's discharge is no less important than treatment management during emergency room access as educating the patient about therapeutic adherence significantly impact long-term outcomes of asthma. With this review we aim at exploring current evidence on acute asthma attack management, focusing of pharmacological and ventilatory strategies of care and highlighting the importance of patient education once clinical stability allows discharge from the emergency department.

Risks of poor asthma outcome in 14,405 children and young people in London

This is a 12-month retrospective data analysis (2018/19) of asthma risk factors in 350 North West London general practices. Fourteen thousand four hundred and five of the 482,029 (40% female) children and young people (CYP) had diagnosed asthma. Exacerbations are as follows: (i) 749 (5%) CYP had 797 hospital admissions; 32 (<1%) had 2-6; (ii) 910 (6%) had 1168 recorded asthma attacks; 170 (1%) had 2-12; (iii) 1485 (10%) had 2123 oral corticosteroid courses; 408 (3%) had 2-11. Excess short-acting bronchodilators were prescribed in over half of the CYP. Of the 10,077 (70%) CYP prescribed inhaled corticosteroid preventers, 7279 (72%) were issued with <4 ICS inhaler prescriptions during the year; these CYP accounted for 11% of the admission spells. In all, 30% of CYP had poor symptom control. At least 10% of the CYP having had recent attacks are at risk and dashboards such as those available in North West London could easily facilitate recognition of risk and optimisation of care.

Asthma and COVID-19: In Defense of Evidence-Based SABA

There have recently been major objections to the use of short-acting beta-agonist (SABA) in episodic acute asthma culminating in a call for replacing SABA with combination of inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting beta-agonists despite little evidence supporting this point of view. It is regrettable to note that this attack on SABA occurs in the midst of an unprecedented demand for, and shortage of, SABA inhalers during the current COVID-19 pandemic, and the worldwide efforts to increase SABA supplies. In this commentary, we defend the well-established role of SABA and argue that the call for the phase out of SABA is inappropriate, since it is not solidly evidence based.

Self-titration of inhaled corticosteroid and β2-agonist in response to symptoms in mild asthma: a pre-specified analysis from the PRACTICAL randomised controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

In mild asthma, as-needed budesonide-formoterol is superior or noninferior to maintenance budesonide plus as-needed short-acting β₂-agonist in reducing severe exacerbations. In this pre-specified analysis, we investigated patterns of inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) and β₂-agonist use in PRACTICAL, a randomised controlled trial.

METHODS

Participants were randomised 1:1 to as-needed budesonide-formoterol (200/6 μg Turbuhaler, one actuation) or maintenance budesonide (200 μg Turbuhaler, one actuation twice a day) with as-needed terbutaline (250 μg, two actuations) for 52 weeks. 110 participants had electronic monitors attached to their study inhalers which captured the time and date of every actuation. Key outcome measures were patterns of ICS and β₂-agonist use. One actuation of budesonide-formoterol was considered to be an equivalent bronchodilator dose as two actuations of terbutaline.

RESULTS

Participants randomised to as-needed budesonide-formoterol had more days with no ICS use compared with maintenance budesonide (median total days of no use 156 versus 22 days, respectively), lower median daily budesonide dose (164 versus 328 μg, respectively) and a greater median number of days of ≥4 budesonide actuations (4 versus 1 days, respectively). Participants randomised to as-needed budesonide-formoterol took higher equivalent doses of β₂-agonist both overall (median number of actuations 0.8 versus 0.3 per day, respectively) and in response to worsening asthma (total number of "overuse days" of >8 or >16 actuations of budesonide-formoterol or terbutaline 33 versus 10 days, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The timing of ICS dose when self-titrated to β₂-agonist use is more important than total ICS dose in reducing severe exacerbation risk in mild asthma, when associated with greater overall use of as-needed β₂-agonist.

Pharmacology and Therapeutics of Bronchodilators Revisited

Bronchodilators remain the cornerstone of the treatment of airway disorders such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). There is therefore considerable interest in understanding how to optimize the use of our existing classes of bronchodilator and in identifying novel classes of bronchodilator drugs. However, new classes of bronchodilator have proved challenging to develop because many of these have no better efficacy than existing classes of bronchodilator and often have unacceptable safety profiles. Recent research has shown that optimization of bronchodilation occurs when both arms of the autonomic nervous system are affected through antagonism of muscarinic receptors to reduce the influence of parasympathetic innervation of the lung and through stimulation of β ₂-adrenoceptors (β ₂-ARs) on airway smooth muscle with β ₂-AR-selective agonists to mimic the sympathetic influence on the lung. This is currently achieved by use of fixed-dose combinations of inhaled long-acting β ₂-adrenoceptor agonists (LABAs) and long-acting muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonists (LAMAs). Due to the distinct mechanisms of action of LAMAs and LABAs, the additive/synergistic effects of using these drug classes together has been extensively investigated. More recently, so-called "triple inhalers" containing fixed-dose combinations of both classes of bronchodilator (dual bronchodilation) and an inhaled corticosteroid in the same inhaler have been developed. Furthermore, a number of so-called "bifunctional drugs" having two different primary pharmacological actions in the same molecule are under development. This review discusses recent advancements in knowledge on bronchodilators and bifunctional drugs for the treatment of asthma and COPD. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Since our last review in 2012, there has been considerable research to identify novel classes of bronchodilator drugs, to further understand how to optimize the use of the existing classes of bronchodilator, and to better understand the role of bifunctional drugs in the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Overuse of short-acting β2-agonists in asthma is associated with increased risk of exacerbation and mortality: a nationwide cohort study of the global SABINA programme

Background

Overuse of short-acting β₂-agonists (SABA) may indicate poor asthma control and adverse health outcomes. Contemporary population-based data on use, risk factors and impact of SABA (over)use on asthma exacerbations and mortality are scarce, prompting initiation of the global SABINA (SABA use IN Asthma) programme.

Methods

By linking data from Swedish national registries, asthma patients aged 12–45 years with two or more collections of drugs for obstructive lung disease during 2006–2014 were included. SABA overuse was defined as collection of more than two SABA canisters in a 1-year baseline period following inclusion. SABA use was grouped into 3–5, 6–10 and ≥11 canisters per baseline-year. Cox regression was used to examine associations between SABA use and exacerbation (hospitalisations and/or oral corticosteroid claims) and mortality.

Results

The analysis included 365 324 asthma patients (mean age 27.6 years; 55% female); average follow-up was 85.4 months. 30% overused SABA, with 21% collecting 3–5 canisters per year, 7% collecting 6–10 canisters per year and 2% collecting ≥11 canisters per year. Increasing number of collected SABA canisters was associated with increased risk of exacerbation, as follows. 3–5 canisters: hazard ratio (HR) 1.26 (95% CI 1.24–1.28); 6–10 canisters: 1.44 (1.41–1.46); and ≥11 canisters: 1.77 (1.72–1.83), compared to two or fewer canisters per year. Higher SABA use was associated with incrementally increased mortality risk (2564 deaths observed), as follows. 3–5 canisters: HR 1.26 (95% CI 1.14–1.39); 6–10 canisters 1.67 (1.49–1.87); and ≥11 canisters: 2.35 (2.02–2.72) compared to two or fewer canisters per year.

Conclusion

One-third of asthma patients in Sweden collected three or more SABA canisters annually. SABA overuse was associated with increased risks of exacerbation and mortality. These findings emphasise that monitoring of SABA usage should be key in improving asthma management.

One-third of asthma patients in Sweden were SABA overusers (three or more canisters per year), of whom 28% had no collection of anti-inflammatory drugs. Higher SABA use was associated with increased exacerbation and mortality risks.http://bit.ly/2PqqSKn

Usage Patterns of Short-Acting β2-Agonists and Inhaled Corticosteroids in Asthma: A Targeted Literature Review

Despite the availability of effective asthma treatments, some patients are poorly controlled because of overreliance on short-acting β₂-agonists (SABAs) and underuse of inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs). To identify patient characteristics and outcomes associated with SABA overreliance and ICS underuse, we conducted a targeted literature review of the quantitative evidence on asthma medication use. Articles evaluating SABA and/or ICS use in patients with asthma (aged ≥12 years), published between January 2012 and March 2018, were identified using MEDLINE and EMBASE. We observed that studies classified SABA usage as "overuse," "high use," "excess use," "extreme overuse," "suboptimal use," and "inappropriate use." Multiple thresholds were used to define overuse of SABA (≥3 to ≥12 canisters/y). SABA overreliance was prevalent, with approximately 20% of adults using 3 or more canisters per year (≥12 inhalations/wk). Similarly, inappropriate ICS use, classified as "suboptimal," "high use," "underuse," and "unlicensed use," was defined by varying thresholds. Specific patient populations, such as older adults, smokers, and patients with low income, were more susceptible to SABA overreliance and ICS underuse. Overreliance on SABAs was associated with increased risk of severe exacerbations, asthma-related hospitalizations, emergency department visits, and asthma-related costs. These findings emphasize the prevalence and related burden of SABA overreliance at the potential expense of appropriate ICS use.

Independent risk factors for death in patients admitted for asthma exacerbation in Taiwan

The independent risk factors for death in patients admitted for asthma exacerbation have not been thoroughly investigated. This study aimed to investigate these independent risk factors and the relationship between mortality and the prescription patterns of anti-asthmatic medications in patients admitted for asthma exacerbation. Using a nested case-control design, we identified 267 cases (death after asthma admission) and 1035 controls (survival after asthma admission) from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) from 2001 to 2010. Conditional logistic regressions were used to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We identified the independent risk factors for death as the comorbidities of pneumonia (aOR 3.82, 95% CI 2.41-6.05), genitourinary disease (aOR 1.75, 95% CI 1.17-2.62), septicemia (aOR 4.26, 95% CI 2.61-6.94), diabetes mellitus (aOR 2.10, 95% CI 1.30-3.38), arrhythmia (aOR 2.00, 95% CI 1.14-3.50), and a history of asthmatic hospitalization (aOR 4.48, 95% CI 2.77-7.25). Moreover, the use of short-acting β2-agonist (SABA) and the dosage of oral corticosteroids (OCSs) >70 mg prednisolone during previous hospitalization (all p < 0.05) and the dosage of OCSs ≥110 mg prednisolone/month (aOR 2.21, 95% CI 1.08-4.50) during outpatient treatment independently increased the risk of death. The inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) ≥4 canisters/year (aOR 0.39, 95% CI 0.19-0.78) independently reduced the risk of death. Specific comorbidities, asthma severity, and prescription patterns of SABA, OCSs, and ICSs were independently associated with mortality in patients admitted for asthma exacerbation. These results can be utilized to help physicians identify asthmatic patients who are at a higher mortality risk and to refine the management of the condition.

SABINA: An Overview of Short-Acting β2-Agonist Use in Asthma in European Countries

INTRODUCTION

Globally, individuals with asthma tend to overrely on short-acting β2-agonists (SABAs) and underuse inhaled corticosteroids, thereby undertreating the underlying inflammation. Such relief-seeking behavior has been reinforced by long-standing treatment guidelines, which until recently recommended SABA-only use for immediate symptom relief. We aimed to describe the current burden of SABA use among European individuals with asthma within the SABA use IN Asthma (SABINA) program.

METHODS

Prescription and/or dispensing data during 2006-2017 from electronic medical records and/or national patient registries in the United Kingdom (UK), Germany, Italy, Spain, and Sweden were analyzed. Individuals aged at least 12 years old with a current asthma diagnosis and no other chronic respiratory conditions were included. Asthma treatment step and severity were based on treatment guidelines in use in each individual country. The proportion of individuals prescribed SABA was measured during a 12-month period. SABA overuse was defined as at least three SABA canisters per year.

RESULTS

More than one million individuals with asthma were included across five European countries. Overall, the majority of individuals were over 45 years of age, except in Sweden (mean age 27.6 years) where individuals aged over 45 years were excluded to avoid a potential chronic obstructive pulmonary disease co-diagnosis. The study population was predominantly female (55-64%), except in the UK (46%). The prevalence of SABA overuse was 9% in Italy, 16% in Germany, 29% in Spain, 30% in Sweden, and 38% in the UK. In the UK, SABA overuse was greater in individuals with moderate-to-severe asthma versus individuals with mild asthma (58% versus 27%, respectively), while SABA overuse was similar in individuals with both mild (9-32%) and moderate-to-severe (8-31%) asthma in the other European countries.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this study from the SABINA program show that SABA overuse (at least three canisters per year) is common across Europe, despite the different healthcare and reimbursement policies of each country.

Understanding Patient Perspectives on Medication Adherence in Asthma: A Targeted Review of Qualitative Studies

Adherence to asthma medications is generally poor and undermines clinical outcomes. Poor adherence is characterized by underuse of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), often accompanied by over-reliance on short-acting β₂-agonists for symptom relief. To identify drivers of poor medication adherence, a targeted literature search was performed in MEDLINE and EMBASE for articles presenting qualitative data evaluating medication adherence in asthma patients (≥12 years old), published from January 1, 2012 to February 26, 2018. A thematic analysis of 21 relevant articles revealed several key themes driving poor medication adherence, including asthma-specific drivers and more general drivers common to chronic diseases. Due to the episodic nature of asthma, many patients felt that their daily life was not substantially impacted; consequently, many harbored doubts about the accuracy of their diagnosis or were in denial about the impact of the disease and, in turn, the need for long-term treatment. This was further compounded by poor patient-physician communication, which contributed to suboptimal knowledge about asthma medications, including lack of understanding of the distinction between maintenance and reliever inhalers, suboptimal inhaler technique, and concerns about ICS side effects. Other drivers of poor medication adherence included the high cost of asthma medication, general forgetfulness, and embarrassment over inhaler use in public. Overall, patients' perceived lack of need for asthma medications and medication concerns, in part due to suboptimal knowledge and poor patient-physician communication, emerged as key drivers of poor medication adherence. Optimal asthma care and management should therefore target these barriers through effective patient- and physician-centered strategies.

ERS/EAACI statement on severe exacerbations in asthma in adults: facts, priorities and key research questions

Despite the use of effective medications to control asthma, severe exacerbations in asthma are still a major health risk and require urgent action on the part of the patient and physician to prevent serious outcomes such as hospitalisation or death. Moreover, severe exacerbations are associated with substantial healthcare costs and psychological burden, including anxiety and fear for patients and their families. The European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) and the European Respiratory Society (ERS) set up a task force to search for a clear definition of severe exacerbations, and to also define research questions and priorities. The statement includes comments from patients who were members of the task force.

Acute Severe Asthma in Adolescent and Adult Patients: Current Perspectives on Assessment and Management

Asthma is a chronic airway inflammatory disease that is associated with variable expiratory flow, variable respiratory symptoms, and exacerbations which sometimes require hospitalization or may be fatal. It is not only patients with severe and poorly controlled asthma that are at risk for an acute severe exacerbation, but this has also been observed in patients with otherwise mild or moderate asthma. This review discusses current aspects on the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of acute severe asthma exacerbations and provides the current perspectives on the management of acute severe asthma attacks in the emergency department and the intensive care unit.

Symptoms and perception of airway obstruction in asthmatic patients: Clinical implications for use of reliever medications

BACKGROUND

Asthma causes the unpleasant sensation of breathlessness (dyspnea) caused by airway obstruction. Patients with poor perception of airway obstruction are at risk of delay in seeking medical attention and undertreatment, which can lead to avoidable deaths. Conversely, those with heightened perception are at risk of overtreatment and iatrogenic adverse effects with reliever medications, anxiety, and unnecessary use of health care resources.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to review evidence about symptom misperception in asthmatic patients and how to identify and manage affected patients, particularly with regard to reliever medications.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic literature search for studies of perception of airway function in asthmatic patients. We searched the OVID (Medline and Medline [R] in process [PubMed]), Embase, and Adisearch/Odyssey databases, restricting our search to human studies published in English from 1990-2018, with no restrictions on age, sex, or racial origin.

RESULTS

We found that both underperception and overperception assessed during induced bronchoconstriction or bronchodilation or during changes in airway resistance were common across all age groups and that aging, disease severity, smoking, sex, ethnicity, psychologic factors, and medication are all associated with differences in perception. Importantly, airway inflammation was associated with impaired perception and a history of severe or near-fatal asthma. We also identified knowledge gaps, such as whether an individual patient's perception varies over time and the influence perception has on patients' use of reliever medication.

CONCLUSION

We found that abnormal perception of airway obstruction has important clinical implications for the management of patients with asthma.

The Saudi Initiative for Asthma - 2019 Update: Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of asthma in adults and children

This is the fourth version of the updated guidelines for the diagnosis and management of asthma, developed by the Saudi Initiative for Asthma (SINA) group, a subsidiary of the Saudi Thoracic Society. The main objective of the SINA is to have guidelines that are up to date, simple to understand, and easy to use by healthcare workers dealing with asthma patients. To facilitate achieving the goals of asthma management, the SINA panel approach is mainly based on the assessment of symptom control and risk for both adults and children. The approach to asthma management is now more aligned for different age groups. The guidelines have focused more on personalized approaches reflecting better understanding of disease heterogeneity with integration of recommendations related to biologic agents, evidence-based updates on treatment, and role of immunotherapy in management. The medication appendix has also been updated with the addition of recent evidence, new indications for existing medication, and new medications. The guidelines are constructed based on the available evidence, local literature, and current situation at national and regional levels. There is also an emphasis on patient–doctor partnership in the management that also includes a self-management plan.

Insights into frequent asthma exacerbations from a primary care perspective and the implications of UK National Review of Asthma Deaths recommendations

The United Kingdom National Review of Asthma Deaths (NRAD) recommends that patients who require ≥3 courses of oral corticosteroids (OCS) for exacerbations in the past year or those on British Thoracic Society (BTS) Step 4/5 treatment must be referred to a specialist asthma service. The aim of the study was to identify the proportion of asthma patients in primary care that fulfil NRAD criteria for specialist referral and factors associated with frequent exacerbations. A total of 2639 adult asthma patients from 10 primary care practices in Glasgow, UK were retrospectively studied between 2014 and 2015. Frequent exacerbators and short-acting β2-agonist (SABA) over-users were identified if they received ≥2 confirmed OCS courses for asthma and ≥13 SABA inhalers in the past year, respectively. Community dispensing data were used to assess treatment adherence defined as taking ≥75% of prescribed inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) dose. The study population included 185 (7%) frequent exacerbators, 137 (5%) SABA over-users, and 319 (12%) patients on BTS Step 4/5 treatment. Among frequent exacerbators, 41% required BTS Step 4/5 treatment, 46% had suboptimal ICS adherence, 42% had not attended an asthma review in the past year and 42% had no previous input from a specialist asthma service. Older age, female gender, BTS Step 4/5, SABA over-use and co-existing COPD diagnosis increased the risk of frequent exacerbations independently. Fourteen per 100 asthma patients would fulfil the NRAD criteria for specialist referral. Better collaboration between primary and secondary care asthma services is needed to improve chronic asthma care.

A review of asthma care in 50 general practices in Bedfordshire, United Kingdom

The United Kingdom (UK) National Review of Asthma Deaths (NRAD) (2011–2014) identified a number of contributory risk factors which had not previously been recognized by those caring for people with asthma. Only one of the 19 NRAD recommendations has so far been implemented nationally, and that only partially, and as yet systems are not in place to identify patients at risk of attacks and dying from asthma. In 2015/2016 Bedfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) in England, UK, initiated a quality asthma audit of people with asthma to identify some of the risk factors identified in the NRAD report with the aim of optimizing patient care. Fifty (89%) of the General Practices caring for 415,152 patients (27,587 diagnosed with asthma (prevalence 7%; range 4–12%)), participated and the results identified a wide variation in process of care and presence of risk factors including: excess short acting reliever and insufficient preventer prescriptions, failure to issue personal asthma action plans, and to perform annual reviews or check inhaler technique. Identification of these patients involved high-intensity input by trained asthma nurses using sophisticated data extraction software. GP computer systems used in primary care currently do not have the functionally, without the need for manual audit, to implement the NRAD recommendations, starting with the identification of patients at risk. Modifications to existing systems within both primary and secondary care are required in order to prevent unnecessary deaths related to asthma. There is a pressing need to move towards a more pro-active model of care.

Pro-active disease management for patients with asthma is crucial and could be vastly improved with an overhaul of computer systems in primary care. Following the UK National Review of Asthma Deaths (NRAD) in 2011–2014, multiple mortality risk factors were identified that have yet to be factored into asthma care. The NHS Bedfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group, with support from NSHI and Dr Mark L Levy (Harrow CCG), conducted a manual audit of 50 Bedfordshire doctors’ surgeries to identify relevant NRAD recommendations to optimize patient care. Levy’s team found marked variations in asthma care between the surgeries. Risk factors present included excessive short-acting reliever inhaler prescriptions and inadequate prescribing of preventer inhalers, together with limited implementation of personal asthma plans and annual reviews. The researchers highlight the limitations of existing computer systems for these purposes and recommend an overhaul of asthma tracking and automated alerts.

"Tossing a coin:" defining the excessive use of short-acting beta2-agonists in asthma-the views of general practitioners and asthma experts in primary and secondary care

The National Review of Asthma Deaths (NRAD) identified high prescribing of short–acting beta₂-agonists (SABAs) as a key factor in over 40% of deaths. We interviewed asthma experts from both a hospital background (n = 5) and a primary care background (n = 8), and general practitioners delivering asthma care (n = 8), to identify how SABA use is defined and perceived. We identified disparity in how acceptable SABA use is defined, ranging from 0.5 (100 doses/year) to 12 SABA inhalers (2400 doses/year), and complacency in the perception that over-use did not represent a marker for risk of asthma death. Despite current evidence, these findings suggest clinicians of various backgrounds are complacent about excessive SABA use.

Automated data-adaptive analytics for electronic healthcare data to study causal treatment effects

BACKGROUND

Decision makers in health care increasingly rely on nonrandomized database analyses to assess the effectiveness, safety, and value of medical products. Health care data scientists use data-adaptive approaches that automatically optimize confounding control to study causal treatment effects. This article summarizes relevant experiences and extensions.

METHODS

The literature was reviewed on the uses of high-dimensional propensity score (HDPS) and related approaches for health care database analyses, including methodological articles on their performance and improvement. Articles were grouped into applications, comparative performance studies, and statistical simulation experiments.

RESULTS

The HDPS algorithm has been referenced frequently with a variety of clinical applications and data sources from around the world. The appeal of HDPS for database research rests in 1) its superior performance in situations of unobserved confounding through proxy adjustment, 2) its predictable efficiency in extracting confounding information from a given data source, 3) its ability to automate estimation of causal treatment effects to the extent achievable in a given data source, and 4) its independence of data source and coding system. Extensions of the HDPS approach have focused on improving variable selection when exposure is sparse, using free text information and time-varying confounding adjustment.

CONCLUSION

Semiautomated and optimized confounding adjustment in health care database analyses has proven successful across a wide range of settings. Machine-learning extensions further automate its use in estimating causal treatment effects across a range of data scenarios.

The use of electronic alerts in primary care computer systems to identify the excessive prescription of short-acting beta2-agonists for people with asthma: a systematic review

Computers are increasingly used to improve prescribing decisions in the management of long-term conditions however the effects on asthma prescribing remain unclear. We aimed to synthesise the evidence for the use of computerised alerts that identify excessive prescribing of short-acting beta₂-agonists (SABAs) to improve asthma management for people with asthma. MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, Cochrane and Scopus databases (1990–2016) were searched for randomised controlled trials using electronic alerts to identify excessive prescribing of SABAs for people with asthma in primary care. Inclusion eligibility, quality appraisal (Cochrane risk of bias tool) and data extraction were performed by two independent reviewers. Findings were synthesised narratively. A total of 2035 articles were screened and four trials were eligible. Three studies had low risk of bias: one reported a positive effect on our primary outcome of interest, excessive SABA prescribing; another reported positive effects on the ratio of inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)-SABA prescribing, and asthma control; a third reported no effect on outcomes of interest. One study at high risk of bias reported a reduction in exacerbations and primary care consultations. There is some evidence that electronic alerts reduce excessive prescribing of SABAs, when delivered as part of a multicomponent intervention in an integrated health care system. However due to the variation in health care systems, intervention design and outcomes measured, further research is required to establish optimal design of alerting and intervening systems.

Prognostic nomogram for inpatients with asthma exacerbation

Background

Asthma exacerbation may require a visit to the emergency room as well as hospitalization and can occasionally be fatal. However, there is limited information about the prognostic factors for asthma exacerbation requiring hospitalization, and no methods are available to predict an inpatient’s prognosis. We investigated the clinical features and factors affecting in-hospital mortality of patients with asthma exacerbation and generated a nomogram to predict in-hospital death using a national inpatient database in Japan.

Methods

We retrospectively collected data concerning hospitalization of adult patients with asthma exacerbation between July 2010 and March 2013 using the Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination database. We recorded patient characteristics and performed Cox proportional hazards regression analysis to assess the factors associated with all-cause in-hospital mortality. Then, we constructed a nomogram to predict in-hospital death.

Results

A total of 19,684 patients with asthma exacerbation were identified; their mean age was 58.8 years (standard deviation, 19.7 years) and median length of hospital stay was 8 days (interquartile range, 5–12 days). Among study patients, 118 died in the hospital (0.6%). Factors associated with higher in-hospital mortality included older age, male sex, reduced level of consciousness, pneumonia, and heart failure. A nomogram was generated to predict the in-hospital death based on the existence of seven variables at admission. The nomogram allowed us to estimate the probability of in-hospital death, and the calibration plot based on these results was well fitted to predict the in-hospital prognosis.

Conclusion

Our nomogram allows physicians to predict individual risk of in-hospital death in patients with asthma exacerbation.

Beta-agonist overuse and delay in obtaining medical review in high risk asthma: a secondary analysis of data from a randomised controlled trial

Asthma mortality surveys report delays in seeking medical review and overuse of beta-agonist therapy as factors contributing to a fatal outcome. However, the strength of these associations is limited because many asthma deaths are unwitnessed. We undertook a secondary analysis of data from a 24-week randomised controlled trial of 303 patients with high-risk asthma, randomised to combination budesonide/formoterol inhaler according to a single maintenance and reliever therapy regimen or fixed dose budesonide/formoterol with salbutamol as reliever (Standard) regimen. Medication use was measured by electronic monitors. The thresholds for high, marked and extreme beta-agonist use days were defined in the single maintenance and reliever therapy arm as: >8, >12 and >16 actuations of budesonide/formoterol in excess of four maintenance doses, respectively; and in the Standard arm as: >16, >24 and >32 actuations of salbutamol, respectively. Whether a medical review was obtained within 48 h of an overuse episode was determined by review of data collected during the study by participant report. The mean (standard deviation) proportion of days in which high, marked and extreme beta-agonist overuse occurred without medical review within 48 h was 0·94(0·20), 0·94(0·15) and 0·94(0·17), and 0·92(0·19), 0·90(0·26) and 0·94(0·15) for single maintenance and reliever therapy and Standard regimens, respectively. In at least 90% of days, in which beta-agonist overuse occurred, patients did not obtain medical review within 48 h of beta-agonist overuse, regardless of the magnitude of overuse or the inhaled corticosteroid/long-acting beta-agonist regimen.

In asthma, overuse of beta-agonist reliever medication and delay in seeking medical review in an exacerbation are linked to asthma deaths. Janine Pilcher at the Medical Research Institute of New Zealand, and co-workers, conducted a review of data from a study of 303 adult patients with severe asthma, followed over 24 weeks. The patients were allocated to either a budesonide/formoterol, or a salbutamol inhaler to take for symptom relief, in addition to their maintenance treatment. Inhalers were fitted with electronic monitors, to accurately document every use. In both groups, on 90% of days when an exacerbation requiring excess use of an inhaler occurred, patients did not follow-up with medical professionals within 48 h as advised. Further, in both groups, ‘extreme’ reliever inhaler use was recorded at least once in around one in four patients.

Asthma-related deaths

Despite major advances in the treatment of asthma and the development of several asthma guidelines, people still die of asthma currently. According to WHO estimates, approximately 250,000 people die prematurely each year from asthma. Trends of asthma mortality rates vary very widely across countries, age and ethnic groups. Several risk factors have been associated with asthma mortality, including a history of near-fatal asthma requiring intubation and mechanical ventilation, hospitalization or emergency care visit for asthma in the past year, currently using or having recently stopped using oral corticosteroids (a marker of event severity), not currently using inhaled corticosteroids, a history of psychiatric disease or psychosocial problems, poor adherence with asthma medications and/or poor adherence with (or lack of) a written asthma action plan, food allergy in a patient with asthma. Preventable factors have been identified in the majority of asthma deaths. Inadequate education of patients on recognising risk and the appropriate action needed when asthma control is poor, deficiencies in the accuracy and timing of asthma diagnosis, inadequate classification of severity and treatment, seem to play a part in the majority of asthma deaths. Improvements in management, epitomized by the use of guided self-management systems of care may be the key goals in reducing asthma mortality worldwide.

Severe or life-threatening asthma exacerbation: patient heterogeneity identified by cluster analysis

BACKGROUND

Severe or life-threatening asthma exacerbation is one of the worst outcomes of asthma because of the risk of death. To date, few studies have explored the potential heterogeneity of this condition.

OBJECTIVES

To examine the clinical characteristics and heterogeneity of patients with severe or life-threatening asthma exacerbation.

METHODS

This was a multicentre, prospective study of patients with severe or life-threatening asthma exacerbation and pulse oxygen saturation < 90% who were admitted to 17 institutions across Japan. Cluster analysis was performed using variables from patient- and physician-orientated structured questionnaires.

RESULTS

Analysis of data from 175 patients with severe or life-threatening asthma exacerbation revealed five distinct clusters. Cluster 1 (n = 27) was younger-onset asthma with severe symptoms at baseline, including limitation of activities, a higher frequency of treatment with oral corticosteroids and short-acting beta-agonists, and a higher frequency of asthma hospitalizations in the past year. Cluster 2 (n = 35) was predominantly composed of elderly females, with the highest frequency of comorbid, chronic hyperplastic rhinosinusitis/nasal polyposis, and a long disease duration. Cluster 3 (n = 40) was allergic asthma without inhaled corticosteroid use at baseline. Patients in this cluster had a higher frequency of atopy, including allergic rhinitis and furred pet hypersensitivity, and a better prognosis during hospitalization compared with the other clusters. Cluster 4 (n = 34) was characterized by elderly males with concomitant chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Although cluster 5 (n = 39) had very mild symptoms at baseline according to the patient questionnaires, 41% had previously been hospitalized for asthma.

CONCLUSIONS & CLINICAL RELEVANCE

This study demonstrated that significant heterogeneity exists among patients with severe or life-threatening asthma exacerbation. Differences were observed in the severity of asthma symptoms and use of inhaled corticosteroids at baseline, and the presence of comorbid COPD. These findings may contribute to a deeper understanding and better management of this patient population.