Understanding reliever overuse in patients purchasing over-the-counter short-acting beta₂ agonists: an Australian community pharmacy-based survey.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Overuse of asthma relievers is associated with significant adverse consequences. This study aimed to better understand the population purchasing and using short-acting beta agonists (SABA) over the counter (OTC); and compare the demographic, clinical and behavioural characteristics of those who overuse SABA with those who do not.

Design and setting

Real-world cross-sectional observational study in community pharmacy.

Participants

Of 412 participants ≥16 years requesting SABA OTC, 289 were SABA overusers (used SABA more than twice per week in the past 4 weeks).

Main outcome measure

Reliever use, Global Initiative for Asthma-defined control, healthcare utilisation, patterns of preventer use.

Results

70.1% of participants were classified as SABA

SUBMITTER: Azzi EA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6701672 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature