INDIVIDUAL USE OF ANTIASTHMATIC DRUGS IN THE EUROPEAN-COMMUNITY RESPIRATORY HEALTH SURVEY

A previous analysis of drug utilization in the European Community Resp iratory Health Survey found that only between 8 and 29% of subjects wi th asthma-related symptoms were using antiasthmatic medication in the different areas studied. The aim of this analysis was to investigate w hich variables were related to individual use of antiasthmatic medicat ion in different geographical areas. Thirty-three centres in 14 countr ies were analysed, in which a total of 16,854 people (52.1% females, m ean age 33.8 yrs, range 20-48) underwent a structured interview, measu rement of specific immunoglobin E, spirometry and methacholine challen ge test. The use of antiasthmatic drugs in individuals was, in most co untries, independently related to asthma-related respiratory symptoms, bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) and atopy. In all countries smoke rs with respiratory symptoms were less likely to be using antiasthmati c drugs than nonsmokers and exsmokers. In four of 14 countries females were significantly more likely to use antiasthmatic medication than m ales, while age and socioeconomic status were unrelated to medication. The use of inhaled anti-inflammatory drugs was positively related to symptoms, BHR and atopy and negatively related to current smoking. In conclusion, in many countries smokers were less likely to be using ant iasthmatic drugs than were nonsmokers with comparable levels of sympto ms and bronchial hyperresponsiveness. Age and socioeconomic status wer e unrelated to medication, while in some countries females were more l ikely than males to use antiasthmatic medication.