Metrics of salbutamol use as predictors of future adverse outcomes in asthma.
BACKGROUND
Beta-agonist overuse is associated with adverse outcomes in asthma, however, the relationships between different metrics of salbutamol use and future risk are uncertain.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relationship between metrics of salbutamol use and adverse outcome.


METHODS
In a 24-week randomized controlled trial of 303 asthma patients at risk of severe exacerbations which compared the efficacy and safety of combination budesonide/formoterol inhaler according to a single inhaler regimen (SMART) with a fixed-dose regimen with salbutamol as reliever ('Standard'), actual medication use was measured by electronic monitoring (Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry Number ACTRN12610000515099). A nested cohort study explored the relationship between metrics of baseline salbutamol use over 2 weeks and future severe asthma exacerbations, poor asthma control (ACQ-5 ≥ 1.5) or 'extreme' salbutamol overuse (> 32 salbutamol actuations/24-h period).


RESULTS
Higher mean daily salbutamol use (per two actuations/day) [Odds ratio (OR) (95% CI) 1.24 (1.06-1.46)], higher days of salbutamol use (per 2 days in 2 weeks) [OR 1.15 (1.00-1.31)] and higher maximal 24-h use (per two actuations/day) [OR 1.09 (1.02-1.16)] were associated with future severe exacerbations. Higher mean daily salbutamol use was associated with future poor asthma control [OR 1.13 (1.02-1.26)]. Higher mean daily salbutamol use [OR 2.73 (1.84-4.07)], number of days of use [OR 1.46 (1.24-1.71)], and maximal daily use [OR 1.57 (1.31-1.89)] were associated with an increased risk of future extreme salbutamol overuse.


CONCLUSIONS
Electronically recorded frequency of current salbutamol use is a strong predictor of risk of future adverse outcomes in asthma, with average daily use performing the best. These findings provide new information for clinicians considering metrics of salbutamol as predictors of future adverse outcomes in asthma.
Medical Research Institute of New Zealand, Wellington, New Zealand; Capital & Coast District Health Board, Wellington, New Zealand; Division of Respiratory Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
M
M
Patel
J
J
Pilcher
H K
HK
Reddel
A
A
Pritchard
A
A
Corin
C
C
Helm
C
C
Tofield
D
D
Shaw
P
P
Black
M
M
Weatherall
R
R
Beasley
D058666:Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000420:Albuterol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D062787:Drug Overdose; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D058666:Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists; D000420:Albuterol
beta-agonist; budesonide/formoterol; control; electronic monitoring; exacerbations; risk