Increasing use of inhaled steroids associated with declining asthma mortality

Increasing worldwide asthma prevalence and morality has led to greater advo cacy of inhaled agents, especially steroids. To determine whether correspon ding drug usage trends had ensued locally, wholesale data (expressed as def ined daily doses (DDDs)/1000 inhabitants/day) were compared for inclusive p eriods 1984-1986 and 1992-1994. Whereas absolute usage of anti-asthmatics i ncreased by 79%, proportional inhaled usage increased markedly, especially of steroids (571%) nd in hospitals. An odds ratio trend analysis revealed a sthma mortality from 1992 onward has declined, particularly in males (p < 0 .001). In Hong kong, despite increasing asthma prevalence, more intensive u se of anti-asthmatic drugs (especially inhaled steroids) was associated wit h declining asthma mortality.