ARE YOUNG-ADULTS WITH ASTHMA TREATED SUFFICIENTLY WITH INHALED STEROIDS - A POPULATION-BASED STUDY OF PRESCRIPTION DATA FROM 1991 AND 1994

1 We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study of asthma therapy a mong young adults to assess to what extent the current guidelines for asthma therapy have been implemented. In particular, we examined the u se of inhaled corticosteroids in heavy users of inhaled beta-adrenocep tor agonists. 2 Data were retrieved from a population-based prescripti on database. For each of the years 1991 and 1994, all 20 to 44-year-ol ds who redeemed anti-asthma medication in the Odense area (210 000 inh abitants) were studied. 3 We identified the number of users and total sales volume for specific antiasthma medications in defined daily dose s (DDD) as well as the number of users and median annual doses of comm on regimens. Combined use of inhaled corticosteroids and inhaled beta- adrenoceptor agonists was also described. 4 The annual sales volume of anti-asthma drugs increased by 23% to 927 636 DDD from 1991 to 1994. Inhaled corticosteroids were mainly responsible for this with a 52% in crease in number of users and an 88% increase in DDD. Inhaled beta-adr enoceptor agonists used in monotherapy remained the most popular regim en in 1994 (1685 users=39%). Inhaled corticosteroids in combination wi th inhaled beta-adrenoceptor agonist were the second most popular regi men in 1994 (1308 users=30%), increasing by 64% as compared with 1991. However, among patients with an annual use of inhaled beta-adrenocept or agonist of 200 DDD (1600 'puffs') or more the percent of patients n ot receiving inhaled corticosteroids at all only fell from 37 to 33%. 5 Though the number of patients being treated with inhaled corticoster oids has increased, there is still evidence of a substantial underuse.