title: Unscheduled healthcare resource use among asthma patients receiving low-dose inhaled corticosteroids maintenance treatment.
abstract: This survey describes asthma control and unscheduled healthcare resource use (HCRU) among patients receiving low-dose inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) alone in five European countries and the USA. Physicians and patients completed forms collecting data on asthma symptoms, sudden increase in chest/respiratory symptoms, asthma-related HCRU, quality of life (QoL) and drug therapy. Fifty-seven per cent of patients on low-dose ICS alone had physician-rated moderate or severe asthma. Only 13% of patients receiving low-dose ICS alone achieved asthma control; 36% reported nocturnal wakening and 22% reported unscheduled healthcare services in the past year. Gender, symptom frequency, episodes of sudden increase in chest/respiratory symptoms and impaired QoL were all related to unscheduled healthcare resource utilisation. Many patients receiving low-dose ICS alone do not have adequate asthma control. Some patient characteristics were found to be significantly different, but not exclusive, between unscheduled healthcare resource users and non-users.
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, London Chest Hospital, London.
authors.forename: N C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Barnes
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011788:Quality of Life; D017211:Treatment Failure
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents