Prevalence of inhaled corticosteroid use among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a survey.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the extent of inhaled corticosteroid use among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).


METHODS
Review of medical records.


METHODS
Tertiary-care university teaching hospital.


METHODS
Seventy-two consecutive patients prescribed an inhaled corticosteroid during hospitalization.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Patient demographics, inhaled corticosteroid regimen, respiratory diagnosis, and inhaled corticosteroid use before and during hospitalization.


RESULTS
The majority of patients (85%) were receiving their prescribed corticosteroid inhaler prior to admission. Beclomethasone dipropionate 250 micrograms/puff was the most commonly prescribed inhaled corticosteroid formulation accounting for 43% of the total corticosteroid inhaler orders. COPD was the most common respiratory diagnosis (43%) associated with inhaled corticosteroid use, followed by asthma (37%), COPD/asthma (13%), and no diagnosis (7%). During the study period, the proportion of all hospitalized patients with COPD who also received inhaled corticosteroid prescriptions (35%) was not significantly different from all hospitalized patients with asthma who received inhaled corticosteroid prescriptions (33%).


CONCLUSIONS
The rate of inhaled corticosteroid use far exceeds the rate expected among the general population of patients with COPD. Educational intervention is needed to encourage compliance with published guidelines for the management of COPD.
Jackevicius
C A
CA
Toronto Hospital, Ontario, Canada.
Chapman
K R
KR
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy; D001507:Beclomethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019819:Budesonide; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004363:Drug Utilization; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011282:Pregnenediones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D011282:Pregnenediones; D019819:Budesonide; D001507:Beclomethasone