Seasonal patterns of Asthma medication fills among diverse populations of the United States.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Nonadherence to controller and overuse of reliever asthma medications are associated with exacerbations. We aimed to determine patterns of seasonal asthma medication use and to identify time period(s) during which interventions to improve medication adherence could reduce asthma morbidity.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of asthmatics 4-50 years of age and enrolled in three diverse health insurance plans. Seasonal patterns of medications were reported by monthly prescription fill rates per 1000 individuals with asthma from 1998 to 2013, and stratified by healthcare plan, sex, and age.

Results

There was a distinct and consistent seasonal fill pattern for all asthma medications. The lowest fill rate was observed in the month of July. Fills in

SUBMITTER: Turi KN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6200335 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature