Price, DavidDavidPriceBeekman, Maarten J H IMaarten J H IBeekmanMattarucco, Walter JavierWalter JavierMattaruccoBarriga-Acevedo, Rocio MartinaRocio MartinaBarriga-AcevedoHAO-CHIEN WANGDiaz, Dina VDina VDiazKhattab, AdelAdelKhattabPacheco Gallego, ManuelManuelPacheco GallegoAl Zaabi, AshrafAshrafAl ZaabiFarouk, HishamHishamFaroukAttar-Zadeh, DarushDarushAttar-Zadeh2024-11-272024-11-272024-11-01https://scholars.lib.ntu.edu.tw/handle/123456789/723310This 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.en[SDGs]SDG3journal article10.1038/s41533-024-00397-439487159