Over-the-counter ß2-agonist purchase versus script: a cross-sectional study.
Respir Med
; 106(2): 223-9, 2012 Feb.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-22040532
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Purchase of short-acting ß(2)-agonist (SABA), but not anti-inflammatory asthma medication, is permitted in Australia without a doctor's prescription. This has been associated with worse asthma outcomes. We sought to compare the asthma outcomes between those purchasing SABA with and without a doctor's prescription.DESIGN:
Cross-sectional study, using stratified randomisation of pharmacies.SETTING:
43 pharmacies in Victoria, Australia.PARTICIPANTS:
Up to 10 consecutive adults purchasing ß(2)-agonists were recruited from each pharmacy, with 316 adults in total. OUTCOMEMEASURES:
Participants underwent spirometry and questionnaires on respiratory health, asthma control, Quality of Life and medication adherence. Asthma severity was determined by GINA medication step. Regression analyses were performed that allowed for clustering by pharmacy.RESULTS:
Of 316 individuals recruited (65% participation rate), 191 (60%) purchased a ß(2)-agonist with a prescription. Purchase of SABA without prescription was not associated with worse asthma outcomes or lung function. Mean (±SD) asthma control score (ACQ) was 1.65 ± 1.03; only 63 (20%) had well-controlled asthma (ACQ < 0.75). Anti-inflammatory asthma medication was owned by 188 (60%) of participants, of whom 157 (83%) reported using this in the last 7 days. There was no correlation between medication adherence scores and asthma control. Forty-seven participants (15%) had an FEV(1) below 80% predicted and did not own an anti-inflammatory asthma medication.CONCLUSION:
Purchase of SABA without prescription was not associated with worse asthma outcomes in Australia. Although many patients reported symptoms of asthma, this did not appear to be associated with reported adherence to anti-inflammatory asthma medication.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Asma
/
Agonistas Adrenérgicos beta
/
Medicamentos sem Prescrição
/
Medicamentos sob Prescrição
/
Anti-Inflamatórios
Tipo de estudo:
Clinical_trials
/
Observational_studies
/
Prevalence_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Aspecto:
Patient_preference
Limite:
Aged
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
País/Região como assunto:
Oceania
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Respir Med
Ano de publicação:
2012
Tipo de documento:
Article