Increased use of inhaled corticosteroids among young Danish adult asthmatics: an observational study.
OBJECTIVE
This population-based longitudinal study aimed to investigate trends in use of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and determinants of ICS use in young Danish adults with asthma.


METHODS
106 757 users, aged 18-44 years, of anti-asthmatic drugs were identified in the Danish Register of Medical Product Statistics during 1997-2006. One year prevalences of ICS use were calculated in categories of gender, age, and annual consumption of inhaled beta-2-agonists (IBA) in defined daily doses (DDD) per year. Determinants of ICS use were estimated by logistic regression models.


RESULTS
The one year prevalence of ICS use was constant, approximately 64%, during 1997-2000. An annual increase was observed from 67% in 2001 to 77% in 2006. This trend also existed when stratifying on gender, age and IBA use. Using 1997 as baseline, the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of ICS use in 2000 was 0.98 (95% CI 0.96-1.01) compared to 1.12 (95% CI 1.09-1.15) in 2001, and 1.81 (95% CI 1.75-1.87) in 2006. Other determinants of high ICS use were female gender, young age, and high annual IBA consumption. Among those using at least 400 DDD of IBA per year (corresponding to 4.4 powder inhalations daily), nearly 20% had no ICS prescriptions in 2006.


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment with ICS among young Danish adult asthmatics has increased since 2001. This apparent improvement was associated with the introduction of fixed dose combination inhalers with ICS and inhaled long-acting beta-2-agonists. However, there is still room for improvement.
Davidsen
Jesper Rømhild
JR
Research Unit for General Practice, Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, J. B. Winsløws Vej 9A, Odense C, Denmark. jrdavidsen@health.sdu.dk
Søndergaard
Jens
J
Hallas
Jesper
J
Siersted
Hans Christian
HC
Lykkegaard
Jesper
J
Andersen
Morten
M
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000328:Adult; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003718:Denmark; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D055815:Young Adult
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents