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Chen KY, Chu W, Jones R, Vuillermin P, Fuller D, Tran D, Sanci L, Shanthikumar S, Carlin J, Hiscock H. Modifiable factors associated with pediatric asthma readmissions: a multi-center linked cohort study. J Asthma 2023; 60:708-717. [PMID: 35748560 DOI: 10.1080/02770903.2022.2089996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To (a) identify rates of hospital readmission and emergency department (ED) re-presentation for asthma within a 12-month period, (b) estimate the effects of modifiable hospital, general practitioner (GP) and home environmental factors on hospital readmission, ED re-presentations and rescue oral corticosteroid use. METHODS We recruited 767 children aged 3-18 years who were admitted to 3 hospitals in Victoria, Australia between 2017 and 2018 with a validated diagnosis of asthma on chart review. Primary outcome was hospital readmission with asthma within 12 months of index admission. Secondary outcomes were ED re-presentation for asthma and rescue oral corticosteroid use. All outcomes were identified through linked administrative datasets. Their caregivers and 277 nominated GPs completed study surveys regarding the home environment and their usual asthma management practices respectively. RESULTS Within 12 months of an index admission for asthma 263 (34.3%) participants were readmitted to a hospital for asthma, with participants between the ages of 3-5 years accounting for 69.2% of those readmitted. The estimated effect of GP reported guideline discordant care on the odds of readmission was OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.00-2.47, p = 0.05. None of the hospital or home environmental factors appeared to be associated with hospital readmissions. CONCLUSIONS Hospital readmissions among Australian children with asthma are increasing, and linked datasets are important for objectively identifying the health services burden of asthma. They also confirm the important role of the GP in the management of pediatric asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Yh Chen
- Health Services Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of General Medicine, The Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Wanyu Chu
- Health Services Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Renee Jones
- Health Services Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Peter Vuillermin
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
- Department of Paedatrics, University Hospital Geelong, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - David Fuller
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
- Department of Paedatrics, University Hospital Geelong, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - David Tran
- Department of Pediatrics, Northern Health, Epping, VIC, Australia
| | - Lena Sanci
- Department of General Practice, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Shivanthan Shanthikumar
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, The Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Respiratory Diseases Research Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - John Carlin
- Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit, Murdoch Children's Research Institute and The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Harriet Hiscock
- Health Services Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Centre for Community and Child Health, The Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia
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Pearce CJ, Chan AHY, Jackson T, Fleming L, Foot H, Bush A, Horne R. Features of successful interventions to improve adherence to inhaled corticosteroids in children with asthma: A narrative systematic review. Pediatr Pulmonol 2022; 57:822-847. [PMID: 35064651 PMCID: PMC9303909 DOI: 10.1002/ppul.25838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Nonadherence to inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) in children with asthma leads to significant morbidity and mortality. Few adherence interventions have been effective and little is known about what contributes to intervention effectiveness. This systematic review summarizes the efficacy and the characteristics of effective interventions. METHODS Six databases were systematically searched on October 3, 2020 for randomized control trials measuring adherence to ICS in children with asthma. A narrative synthesis was conducted focusing on intervention efficacy and study reliability. Intervention content was coded based on the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines for medicines adherence (the Perceptions and Practicalities Approach, PAPA) and behavior change techniques (BCTs), to determine the effective aspects of the intervention. RESULTS Of 240 studies identified, 25 were eligible for inclusion. Thirteen of the 25 studies were categorized as being highly reliable. Nine of the 13 interventions were effective at increasing adherence and 6 of those met the criteria for a PAPA intervention. Techniques targeting perceptions and practicalities in successful interventions included rewards, reminders, feedback and monitoring of adherence, pharmacological support, instruction on how to take their ICS/adhere, and information about triggers for symptoms and nonadherence. CONCLUSION Adherence interventions in children with asthma have mixed effectiveness. Effective intervention studies were more frequently of higher quality, were tailored to individuals' perceptual and practical adherence barriers, and used multiple BCTs. However, due to the small number of included studies and varying study design quality, conclusions drawn here are preliminary. Future research is needed to test a PAPA-based intervention with a rigorous study design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina J Pearce
- Department of Practice and Policy, School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, UK.,Usher Institute, Asthma UK Centre for Applied Research, London, UK
| | - Amy H Y Chan
- Department of Practice and Policy, School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, UK.,Usher Institute, Asthma UK Centre for Applied Research, London, UK.,Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, School of Pharmacy, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Tracy Jackson
- Usher Institute, Asthma UK Centre for Applied Research, London, UK
| | - Louise Fleming
- Usher Institute, Asthma UK Centre for Applied Research, London, UK.,Pediatric Respiratory Medicine, Royal Brompton Hospital, London, UK.,Faculty of Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Holly Foot
- Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, School of Pharmacy, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Andy Bush
- Usher Institute, Asthma UK Centre for Applied Research, London, UK.,Pediatric Respiratory Medicine, Royal Brompton Hospital, London, UK.,Faculty of Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Rob Horne
- Department of Practice and Policy, School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, UK.,Usher Institute, Asthma UK Centre for Applied Research, London, UK
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Chen KYH, Saxon L, Robertson C, Hiscock H. Reducing asthma hospitalisations in at-risk children: A systematic review. J Paediatr Child Health 2021; 57:1376-1384. [PMID: 34351019 DOI: 10.1111/jpc.15666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
AIM To identify interventions that reduce hospitalisations and improve related outcomes in children at risk of asthma hospital admissions. METHODS Medline, Embase, Pubmed and Cochrane Library search from January 2002 to April 2020. INCLUSION CRITERIA randomised controlled trials of any intervention for children with asthma who are at risk of hospitalisations. OUTCOMES hospitalisation (primary outcome), rescue oral corticosteroid use, school absences, quality of life and cost-effectiveness. RESULTS Twelve randomised controlled trials were conducted with 2719 participants. Due to heterogeneity of interventions and reporting of outcomes, a meta-analysis was not conducted. Multi-modal interventions comprising caregiver education, reduction of home environmental allergens and regular follow-up reduced hospitalisations, rescue corticosteroid use and improved quality of life. Cost-effectiveness was not reported. Three studies scored an overall low risk of bias, and nine had some concerns. CONCLUSION Multi-modal interventions can be effective in reducing hospitalisations, rescue oral corticosteroid use and quality of life but cost-effectiveness is unknown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Y H Chen
- Health Services Research Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Pediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of General Medicine, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Leanne Saxon
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Colin Robertson
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Respiratory Research Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Harriet Hiscock
- Health Services Research Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Pediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Community Child Health, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Dardouri M, Bouguila J, Sahli J, Ajmi T, Mtiraoui A, Zedini C, Mallouli M. Assessing the impact of a family empowerment program on asthma control and medication use in children with asthma: A randomized controlled trial. J SPEC PEDIATR NURS 2021; 26:e12324. [PMID: 33421315 DOI: 10.1111/jspn.12324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE In pediatric asthma, family empowerment education has been beneficial for the quality of life, pulmonary function, and family functioning. Few studies addressed the impact of a family empowerment program on asthma symptom control, acute healthcare use (AHCU), and medication use in children with asthma. This study aimed to assess the effect of a family empowerment intervention on asthma symptom control, AHCU, inhaler technique, and controller adherence in children with asthma. DESIGN AND METHODS A single-center study using a randomized controlled design was conducted in a university hospital in the center of Tunisia from May 2018 to September 2019. Eighty-two families were randomly assigned to the intervention group (n = 41) of 8 weeks of group training sessions, or to the control group (n = 41) of usual care education. Thirty-seven families in the intervention group and 39 families in the control group received allocated intervention at baseline. Thirty-four families in each group completed the study at the 12-month follow-up. RESULTS At baseline, the intervention and control groups were statistically comparable (p > .05). At follow-up, there were significant differences between the intervention and the control group in asthma symptom control, χ2 (1, N = 34) = 9.950, p = .002, and inhalation technique, χ2 (1, N = 34) = 5.916, p = .01. For AHCU and adherence to asthma controller, there was no significant difference between groups, χ2 (1, N = 34) = 3.219, p = .07, χ2 (1, N = 34) = 0.541, p = .46, respectively. The difference within time in asthma symptom control and inhalation technique was significant (p = 10-3 , p = .001; respectively). PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS This study demonstrated that a family empowerment program significantly improved asthma symptom control and inhaler technique in children with asthma aged 7-17 years. This intervention could be clinically useful and time-saving for pediatric nurses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maha Dardouri
- Research Laboratory LR12ES03 "Quality of Care and Management of Maternal Health Services," Faculty of Medicine of Sousse, University of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia.,Higher School of Health Sciences and Techniques of Sousse, University of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Jihene Bouguila
- Faculty of Medicine of Sousse, University of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia.,Pediatric Department, Farhat Hached University Hospital, Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Jihene Sahli
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Research Laboratory LR12ES03 "Quality of Care and Management of Maternal Health Services," Faculty of Medicine of Sousse, University of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Thouraya Ajmi
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Research Laboratory LR12ES03 "Quality of Care and Management of Maternal Health Services," Faculty of Medicine of Sousse, University of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Ali Mtiraoui
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Research Laboratory LR12ES03 "Quality of Care and Management of Maternal Health Services," Faculty of Medicine of Sousse, University of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Chekib Zedini
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Research Laboratory LR12ES03 "Quality of Care and Management of Maternal Health Services," Faculty of Medicine of Sousse, University of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Manel Mallouli
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Research Laboratory LR12ES03 "Quality of Care and Management of Maternal Health Services," Faculty of Medicine of Sousse, University of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia
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Foronda CL, Muheriwa SR, Fernandez-Burgos M, Prather S, Nersesian P. Medication Adherence of Latino Children and Caregivers: An Integrative Review. HISPANIC HEALTH CARE INTERNATIONAL 2020; 18:207-213. [PMID: 31888391 DOI: 10.1177/1540415319896623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION There are significant disparities in medication adherence among underserved minority groups such as Latinos. Adherence to medication is a primary determinant of treatment success. Little is known about medication adherence among Latino children. This integrated review aims to describe what is known about medication adherence among Latino children and explore barriers and facilitators to medication adherence. METHOD This review was guided by Whittemore and Knafl's method of integrative review and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Statement. RESULTS Of the 20 articles reviewed about medication adherence among Latino children, the analysis of these articles revealed four major themes: (1) low adherence, (2) low adherence associations, (3) child outcomes, and (4) effective interventions. CONCLUSION Health practitioners should consider medication adherence associations and interventions when collaborating with the family caregiver to improve child outcomes.
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Law E, Fisher E, Eccleston C, Palermo TM. Psychological interventions for parents of children and adolescents with chronic illness. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2019; 3:CD009660. [PMID: 30883665 PMCID: PMC6450193 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd009660.pub4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Psychological therapies for parents of children and adolescents with chronic illness aim to improve parenting behavior and mental health, child functioning (behavior/disability, mental health, and medical symptoms), and family functioning.This is an updated version of the original Cochrane Review (2012) which was first updated in 2015. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the efficacy and adverse events of psychological therapies for parents of children and adolescents with a chronic illness. SEARCH METHODS We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, and trials registries for studies published up to July 2018. SELECTION CRITERIA Included studies were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of psychological interventions for parents of children and adolescents with a chronic illness. In this update we included studies with more than 20 participants per arm. In this update, we included interventions that combined psychological and pharmacological treatments. We included comparison groups that received either non-psychological treatment (e.g. psychoeducation), treatment as usual (e.g. standard medical care without added psychological therapy), or wait-list. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS We extracted study characteristics and outcomes post-treatment and at first available follow-up. Primary outcomes were parenting behavior and parent mental health. Secondary outcomes were child behavior/disability, child mental health, child medical symptoms, and family functioning. We pooled data using the standardized mean difference (SMD) and a random-effects model, and evaluated outcomes by medical condition and by therapy type. We assessed risk of bias per Cochrane guidance and quality of evidence using GRADE. MAIN RESULTS We added 21 new studies. We removed 23 studies from the previous update that no longer met our inclusion criteria. There are now 44 RCTs, including 4697 participants post-treatment. Studies included children with asthma (4), cancer (7), chronic pain (13), diabetes (15), inflammatory bowel disease (2), skin diseases (1), and traumatic brain injury (3). Therapy types included cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT; 21), family therapy (4), motivational interviewing (3), multisystemic therapy (4), and problem-solving therapy (PST; 12). We rated risk of bias as low or unclear for most domains, except selective reporting bias, which we rated high for 19 studies due to incomplete outcome reporting. Evidence quality ranged from very low to moderate. We downgraded evidence due to high heterogeneity, imprecision, and publication bias.Evaluation of parent outcomes by medical conditionPsychological therapies may improve parenting behavior (e.g. maladaptive or solicitous behaviors; lower scores are better) in children with cancer post-treatment and follow-up (SMD -0.28, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.43 to -0.13; participants = 664; studies = 3; SMD -0.21, 95% CI -0.37 to -0.05; participants = 625; studies = 3; I2 = 0%, respectively, low-quality evidence), chronic pain post-treatment and follow-up (SMD -0.29, 95% CI -0.47 to -0.10; participants = 755; studies = 6; SMD -0.35, 95% CI -0.50 to -0.20; participants = 678; studies = 5, respectively, moderate-quality evidence), diabetes post-treatment (SMD -1.39, 95% CI -2.41 to -0.38; participants = 338; studies = 5, very low-quality evidence), and traumatic brain injury post-treatment (SMD -0.74, 95% CI -1.25 to -0.22; participants = 254; studies = 3, very low-quality evidence). For the remaining analyses data were insufficient to evaluate the effect of treatment.Psychological therapies may improve parent mental health (e.g. depression, anxiety, lower scores are better) in children with cancer post-treatment and follow-up (SMD -0.21, 95% CI -0.35 to -0.08; participants = 836, studies = 6, high-quality evidence; SMD -0.23, 95% CI -0.39 to -0.08; participants = 667; studies = 4, moderate-quality evidence, respectively), and chronic pain post-treatment and follow-up (SMD -0.24, 95% CI -0.42 to -0.06; participants = 490; studies = 3; SMD -0.20, 95% CI -0.38 to -0.02; participants = 482; studies = 3, respectively, low-quality evidence). Parent mental health did not improve in studies of children with diabetes post-treatment (SMD -0.24, 95% CI -0.90 to 0.42; participants = 211; studies = 3, very low-quality evidence). For the remaining analyses, data were insufficient to evaluate the effect of treatment on parent mental health.Evaluation of parent outcomes by psychological therapy typeCBT may improve parenting behavior post-treatment (SMD -0.45, 95% CI -0.68 to -0.21; participants = 1040; studies = 9, low-quality evidence), and follow-up (SMD -0.26, 95% CI -0.42 to -0.11; participants = 743; studies = 6, moderate-quality evidence). We did not find evidence for a beneficial effect for CBT on parent mental health at post-treatment or follow-up (SMD -0.19, 95% CI -0.41 to 0.03; participants = 811; studies = 8; SMD -0.07, 95% CI -0.34 to 0.20; participants = 592; studies = 5; respectively, very low-quality evidence). PST may improve parenting behavior post-treatment and follow-up (SMD -0.39, 95% CI -0.64 to -0.13; participants = 947; studies = 7, low-quality evidence; SMD -0.54, 95% CI -0.94 to -0.14; participants = 852; studies = 6, very low-quality evidence, respectively), and parent mental health post-treatment and follow-up (SMD -0.30, 95% CI -0.45 to -0.15; participants = 891; studies = 6; SMD -0.21, 95% CI -0.35 to -0.07; participants = 800; studies = 5, respectively, moderate-quality evidence). For the remaining analyses, data were insufficient to evaluate the effect of treatment on parent outcomes.Adverse eventsWe could not evaluate treatment safety because most studies (32) did not report on whether adverse events occurred during the study period. In six studies, the authors reported that no adverse events occurred. The remaining six studies reported adverse events and none were attributed to psychological therapy. We rated the quality of evidence for adverse events as moderate. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Psychological therapy may improve parenting behavior among parents of children with cancer, chronic pain, diabetes, and traumatic brain injury. We also found beneficial effects of psychological therapy may also improve parent mental health among parents of children with cancer and chronic pain. CBT and PST may improve parenting behavior. PST may also improve parent mental health. However, the quality of evidence is generally low and there are insufficient data to evaluate most outcomes. Our findings could change as new studies are conducted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Law
- Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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Behavioral interventions to improve asthma outcomes: a systematic review of recent publications. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol 2018; 17:194-200. [PMID: 28362676 DOI: 10.1097/aci.0000000000000359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Asthma outcomes are influenced by factors at multiple ecological levels: the individual and his/her family, home, medical care, and community. This systematic review describes recently published single-level and multilevel behavioral interventions to improve asthma outcomes. RECENT FINDINGS Of the 23 total title/abstracts reviewed in the original systematic search of PubMed, Ovid, Scopus, PsychINFO, and CIHAHL reference review databases, six met inclusion criteria. Five of the studies focused on low-income and/or minority populations. Promising interventions include culturally tailored online asthma self-management programs and family-centered asthma education delivered at the bedside during hospitalization for an acute asthma exacerbation. SUMMARY Culturally, tailored online self-management programs offer difficult-to-reach populations asthma support that can be completed at the time and pace most convenient for the individual user. Family-focused asthma education, delivered at the bedside during an acute asthma hospitalization by highly motivated lay volunteers, is an efficacious and low-cost approach to improving pediatric asthma self-management.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite its proven efficacy in improving symptoms and reducing exacerbations, many patients with asthma are not fully adherent to their steroid inhaler. Suboptimal adherence leads to poorer clinical outcomes and increased health service utilisation, and has been identified as a contributing factor to a third of asthma deaths in the UK. Reasons for non-adherence vary, and a variety of interventions have been proposed to help people improve treatment adherence. OBJECTIVES To assess the efficacy and safety of interventions intended to improve adherence to inhaled corticosteroids among people with asthma. SEARCH METHODS We identified trials from the Cochrane Airways Trials Register, which contains studies identified through multiple electronic searches and handsearches of other sources. We also searched trial registries and reference lists of primary studies. We conducted the most recent searches on 18 November 2016. SELECTION CRITERIA We included parallel and cluster randomised controlled trials of any duration conducted in any setting. We included studies reported as full-text articles, those published as abstracts only and unpublished data. We included trials of adults and children with asthma and a current prescription for an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) (as monotherapy or in combination with a long-acting beta2-agonist (LABA)). Eligible trials compared an intervention primarily aimed at improving adherence to ICS versus usual care or an alternative intervention. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two review authors screened the searches, extracted study characteristics and outcome data from included studies and assessed risk of bias. Primary outcomes were adherence to ICS, exacerbations requiring at least oral corticosteroids and asthma control. We graded results and presented evidence in 'Summary of findings' tables for each comparison.We analysed dichotomous data as odds ratios, and continuous data as mean differences or standardised mean differences, all using a random-effects model. We described skewed data narratively. We made no a priori assumptions about how trials would be categorised but conducted meta-analyses only if treatments, participants and the underlying clinical question were similar enough for pooling to make sense. MAIN RESULTS We included 39 parallel randomised controlled trials (RCTs) involving adults and children with asthma, 28 of which (n = 16,303) contributed data to at least one meta-analysis. Follow-up ranged from two months to two years (median six months), and trials were conducted mainly in high-income countries. Most studies reported some measure of adherence to ICS and a variety of other outcomes such as quality of life and asthma control. Studies generally were at low or unclear risk of selection bias and at high risk of biases associated with blinding. We considered around half the studies to be at high risk for attrition bias and selective outcome reporting.We classified studies into four comparisons: adherence education versus control (20 studies); electronic trackers or reminders versus control (11 studies); simplified drug regimens versus usual drug regimens (four studies); and school-based directly observed therapy (three studies). Two studies are described separately.All pooled results for adherence education, electronic trackers or reminders and simplified regimens showed better adherence than controls. Analyses limited to studies using objective measures revealed that adherence education showed a benefit of 20 percentage points over control (95% confidence interval (CI) 7.52 to 32.74; five studies; low-quality evidence); electronic trackers or reminders led to better adherence of 19 percentage points (95% CI 14.47 to 25.26; six studies; moderate-quality evidence); and simplified regimens led to better adherence of 4 percentage points (95% CI 1.88 to 6.16; three studies; moderate-quality evidence). Our confidence in the evidence was reduced by risk of bias and inconsistency.Improvements in adherence were not consistently translated into observable benefit for clinical outcomes in our pooled analyses. None of the intervention types showed clear benefit for our primary clinical outcomes - exacerbations requiring an oral corticosteroid (OCS) (evidence of very low to low quality) and asthma control (evidence of low to moderate quality); nor for our secondary outcomes - unscheduled visits (evidence of very low to moderate quality) and quality of life (evidence of low to moderate quality). However, some individual studies reported observed benefits for OCS and use of healthcare services. Most school or work absence data were skewed and were difficult to interpret (evidence of low quality, when graded), and most studies did not specifically measure or report adverse events.Studies investigating the possible benefit of administering ICS at school did not measure adherence, exacerbations requiring OCS, asthma control or adverse events. One study showed fewer unscheduled visits, and another found no differences; data could not be combined. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Pooled results suggest that a variety of interventions can improve adherence. The clinical relevance of this improvement, highlighted by uncertain and inconsistent impact on clinical outcomes such as quality of life and asthma control, is less clear. We have low to moderate confidence in these findings owing to concerns about risk of bias and inconsistency. Future studies would benefit from predefining an evidence-based 'cut-off' for acceptable adherence and using objective adherence measures and validated tools and questionnaires. When possible, covert monitoring and some form of blinding or active control may help disentangle effects of the intervention from effects of inclusion in an adherence trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Normansell
- St George's, University of LondonCochrane Airways, Population Health Research InstituteLondonUKSW17 0RE
| | - Kayleigh M Kew
- BMJ Knowledge CentreBritish Medical Journal Technology Assessment Group (BMJ‐TAG)BMA HouseTavistock SquareLondonUKWC1H 9JR
| | - Elizabeth Stovold
- St George's, University of LondonPopulation Health Research InstituteCranmer TerraceTootingLondonUKSW17 0RE
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Chauhan BF, Jeyaraman MM, Singh Mann A, Lys J, Abou‐Setta AM, Zarychanski R, Ducharme FM. Addition of anti-leukotriene agents to inhaled corticosteroids for adults and adolescents with persistent asthma. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2017; 3:CD010347. [PMID: 28301050 PMCID: PMC6464690 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd010347.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Asthma management guidelines recommend low-dose inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) as first-line therapy for adults and adolescents with persistent asthma. The addition of anti-leukotriene agents to ICS offers a therapeutic option in cases of suboptimal control with daily ICS. OBJECTIVES To assess the efficacy and safety of anti-leukotriene agents added to ICS compared with the same dose, an increased dose or a tapering dose of ICS (in both arms) for adults and adolescents 12 years of age and older with persistent asthma. Also, to determine whether any characteristics of participants or treatments might affect the magnitude of response. SEARCH METHODS We identified relevant studies from the Cochrane Airways Group Specialised Register of Trials, which is derived from systematic searches of bibliographic databases including the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, the Allied and Complementary Medicine Database (AMED), the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) and the trial registries clinicaltrials.gov and ICTRP from inception to August 2016. SELECTION CRITERIA We searched for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of adults and adolescents 12 years of age and older on a maintenance dose of ICS for whom investigators added anti-leukotrienes to the ICS and compared treatment with the same dose, an increased dose or a tapering dose of ICS for at least four weeks. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS We used standard methods expected by Cochrane. The primary outcome was the number of participants with exacerbations requiring oral corticosteroids (except when both groups tapered the dose of ICS, in which case the primary outcome was the % reduction in ICS dose from baseline with maintained asthma control). Secondary outcomes included markers of exacerbation, lung function, asthma control, quality of life, withdrawals and adverse events. MAIN RESULTS We included in the review 37 studies representing 6128 adult and adolescent participants (most with mild to moderate asthma). Investigators in these studies used three leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRAs): montelukast (n = 24), zafirlukast (n = 11) and pranlukast (n = 2); studies lasted from four weeks to five years. Anti-leukotrienes and ICS versus same dose of ICSOf 16 eligible studies, 10 studies, representing 2364 adults and adolescents, contributed data. Anti-leukotriene agents given as adjunct therapy to ICS reduced by half the number of participants with exacerbations requiring oral corticosteroids (risk ratio (RR) 0.50, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.29 to 0.86; 815 participants; four studies; moderate quality); this is equivalent to a number needed to treat for additional beneficial outcome (NNTB) over six to 16 weeks of 22 (95% CI 16 to 75). Only one trial including 368 participants reported mortality and serious adverse events, but events were too infrequent for researchers to draw a conclusion. Four trials reported all adverse events, and the pooled result suggested little difference between groups (RR 1.06, 95% CI 0.92 to 1.22; 1024 participants; three studies; moderate quality). Investigators noted between-group differences favouring the addition of anti-leukotrienes for morning peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), asthma symptoms and night-time awakenings, but not for reduction in β2-agonist use or evening PEFR. Anti-leukotrienes and ICS versus higher dose of ICSOf 15 eligible studies, eight studies, representing 2008 adults and adolescents, contributed data. Results showed no statistically significant difference in the number of participants with exacerbations requiring oral corticosteroids (RR 0.90, 95% CI 0.58 to 1.39; 1779 participants; four studies; moderate quality) nor in all adverse events between groups (RR 0.96, 95% CI 0.89 to 1.03; 1899 participants; six studies; low quality). Three trials reported no deaths among 834 participants. Results showed no statistically significant differences in lung function tests including morning PEFR and FEV1 nor in asthma control measures including use of rescue β2-agonists or asthma symptom scores. Anti-leukotrienes and ICS versus tapering dose of ICSSeven studies, representing 1150 adults and adolescents, evaluated the combination of anti-leukotrienes and tapering-dose of ICS compared with tapering-dose of ICS alone and contributed data. Investigators observed no statistically significant difference in % change from baseline ICS dose (mean difference (MD) -3.05, 95% CI -8.13 to 2.03; 930 participants; four studies; moderate quality), number of participants with exacerbations requiring oral corticosteroids (RR 0.46, 95% CI 0.20 to 1.04; 542 participants; five studies; low quality) or all adverse events (RR 0.95, 95% CI 0.83 to 1.08; 1100 participants; six studies; moderate quality). Serious adverse events occurred more frequently among those taking anti-leukotrienes plus tapering ICS than in those taking tapering doses of ICS alone (RR 2.44, 95% CI 1.52 to 3.92; 621 participants; two studies; moderate quality), but deaths were too infrequent for researchers to draw any conclusions about mortality. Data showed no improvement in lung function nor in asthma control measures. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS For adolescents and adults with persistent asthma, with suboptimal asthma control with daily use of ICS, the addition of anti-leukotrienes is beneficial for reducing moderate and severe asthma exacerbations and for improving lung function and asthma control compared with the same dose of ICS. We cannot be certain that the addition of anti-leukotrienes is superior, inferior or equivalent to a higher dose of ICS. Scarce available evidence does not support anti-leukotrienes as an ICS sparing agent, and use of LTRAs was not associated with increased risk of withdrawals or adverse effects, with the exception of an increase in serious adverse events when the ICS dose was tapered. Information was insufficient for assessment of mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhupendrasinh F Chauhan
- Children’s Hospital Research Institute of ManitobaBiology of Breathing GroupWinnipegCanada
- University of ManitobaCollege of PharmacyWinnipegMBCanada
- University of ManitobaKnowledge Synthesis Platform, George and Fay Yee Centre for Healthcare InnovationWinnipegCanada
- University of MontrealDepartment of PaediatricsMontrealCanada
| | - Maya M Jeyaraman
- University of ManitobaKnowledge Synthesis Platform, George and Fay Yee Centre for Healthcare InnovationWinnipegCanada
| | - Amrinder Singh Mann
- University of ManitobaKnowledge Synthesis Platform, George and Fay Yee Centre for Healthcare InnovationWinnipegCanada
| | - Justin Lys
- University of ManitobaKnowledge Synthesis Platform, George and Fay Yee Centre for Healthcare InnovationWinnipegCanada
| | - Ahmed M Abou‐Setta
- University of ManitobaKnowledge Synthesis Platform, George and Fay Yee Centre for Healthcare InnovationWinnipegCanada
| | - Ryan Zarychanski
- University of ManitobaKnowledge Synthesis Platform, George and Fay Yee Centre for Healthcare InnovationWinnipegCanada
- University of ManitobaCommunity Health SciencesWinnipegMBCanadaR3A 1R9
- CancerCare ManitobaDepartment of Haematology and Medical OncologyWinnipegCanadaR3E 0V9
- University of ManitobaDepartment of Internal MedicineWinnipegCanada
| | - Francine M Ducharme
- University of MontrealDepartment of PaediatricsMontrealCanada
- CHU Sainte‐JustineResearch CentreMontrealCanada
- University of MontrealDepartment of Social and Preventive MedicineMontrealCanada
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