Over-the-counter short-acting β-agonist purchase and asthma-related health outcomes: a post hoc analysis of the SABINA III study.
Journal
NPJ primary care respiratory medicine
Journal Volume
34
Journal Issue
1
Start Page
34
ISSN
2055-1010
Date Issued
2024-11-01
Author(s)
Price, David
Beekman, Maarten J H I
Mattarucco, Walter Javier
Barriga-Acevedo, Rocio Martina
Diaz, Dina V
Khattab, Adel
Pacheco Gallego, Manuel
Al Zaabi, Ashraf
Farouk, Hisham
Attar-Zadeh, Darush
Abstract
This post-hoc analysis of the SABINA III study evaluated the association of short-acting β-agonist (SABA) prescriptions and self-reported over-the-counter (OTC) SABA purchase in the previous 12 months with asthma-related outcomes using multivariable regression models in 4556 patients (mean age, 48.9 years). Of the 2810 patients prescribed ≥3 SABA canisters, 776 (27.6%) also purchased ≥1 SABA OTC. This subset of 776 patients reported the highest disease burden; 73.2% had ≥1 severe exacerbation and 55.7% had uncontrolled asthma. Asthma-related outcomes worsened with any SABA OTC purchase, regardless of SABA prescriptions; disease burden was the highest in patients with ≥3 SABA prescriptions and ≥1 SABA OTC purchase vs 1-2 SABA prescriptions only (86% lower odds of having at least partly controlled asthma and 124% increased incidence of severe asthma (both P < 0.001). These findings emphasize the need to implement policy changes to restrict SABA purchase without prescriptions and ensure access to affordable asthma care.
SDGs
Type
journal article