Sexual functioning more than 15 years after premenopausal risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy.

BACKGROUND: Women with a BRCA1/2 pathogenic variant are advised to undergo premenopausal risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy after completion of childbearing, to reduce their risk of ovarian cancer. Several studies reported less sexual pleasure 1 to 3 years after a premenopausal oophorectomy. However, the long-term effects of premenopausal oophorectomy on sexual functioning are unknown. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to study long-term sexual functioning in women at increased familial risk of breast or ovarian cancer who underwent a risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy either before the age of 46 years (premenopausal group) or after the age of 54 years (postmenopausal group). Subgroup analyses were performed in the premenopausal group, comparing early (before the age of 41 years) and later (at ages 41-45 years) premenopausal risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy. STUDY DESIGN: Between 2018 and 2021, 817 women with a high familial risk of breast or ovarian cancer from an ongoing cohort study were invited to participate in our study. Because of a large difference in age in the study between the premenopausal and postmenopausal salpingo-oophorectomy groups, we restricted the comparison of sexual functioning between the groups to 368 women who were 60 to 70 years old at completion of the questionnaire (226 in the premenopausal group and 142 in the postmenopausal group). In 496 women with a premenopausal risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy, we compared the sexual functioning between women in the early premenopausal group (n=151) and women in the later premenopausal group (n=345). Differences between groups were analyzed using multiple regression analyses, adjusting for current age, breast cancer history, use of hormone replacement therapy, body mass index, chronic medication use (yes or no), and body image. RESULTS: Mean times since risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy were 20.6 years in the premenopausal group and 10.6 years in the postmenopausal group (P<.001). The mean age at questionnaire completion was 62.7 years in the premenopausal group, compared with 67.0 years in the postmenopausal group (P<.001). Compared with 48.9% of women in the postmenopausal group, 47.4% of women in the premenopausal group were still sexually active (P=.80). Current sexual pleasure scores were the same for women in the premenopausal group and women in the postmenopausal group (mean pleasure score, 8.6; P=.99). However, women in the premenopausal group more often reported substantial discomfort than women in the postmenopausal group (35.6% vs 20.9%; P=.04). After adjusting for confounders, premenopausal risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy was associated with substantially more discomfort during sexual intercourse than postmenopausal risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (odds ratio, 3.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.04-9.4). Moreover, after premenopausal risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy, more severe complaints of vaginal dryness were observed (odds ratio, 2.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.4-4.7). Women with a risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy before the age of 41 years reported similar pleasure and discomfort scores as women with a risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy between ages 41 and 45 years. CONCLUSION: More than 15 years after premenopausal risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy, the proportion of sexually active women was comparable with the proportion of sexually active women with a postmenopausal risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy. However, after a premenopausal risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy, women experienced more vaginal dryness and more often had substantial sexual discomfort during sexual intercourse. This did not lead to less pleasure with sexual activity.

Long-term effects of premenopausal risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy on cognition in women with high familial risk of ovarian cancer: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of a premenopausal risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO) in women at increased risk of ovarian cancer on objective and subjective cognition at least 10 years after RRSO. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study with prospective follow-up, nested in a nationwide cohort. SETTING: Multicentre in the Netherlands. POPULATION OR SAMPLE: 641 women (66% BRCA1/2 pathogenic variant carriers) who underwent either a premenopausal RRSO ≤ age 45 (n = 436) or a postmenopausal RRSO ≥ age 54 (n = 205). All participants were older than 55 years at recruitment. METHODS: Participants completed an online cognitive test battery and a questionnaire on subjective cognition. We used multivariable regression analyses, adjusting for age, education, breast cancer, hormone replacement therapy, cardiovascular risk factors and depression. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The influence of RRSO on objective and subjective cognition of women with a premenopausal RRSO compared with women with a postmenopausal RRSO. RESULTS: After adjustment, women with a premenopausal RRSO (mean time since RRSO 18.2 years) performed similarly on objective cognitive tests compared with women with a postmenopausal RRSO (mean time since RRSO 11.9 years). However, they more frequently reported problems with reasoning (odds ratio [OR] 1.8, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.1-3.1) and multitasking (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1-3.4) than women with a postmenopausal RRSO. This difference between groups disappeared in an analysis restricted to women of comparable ages (60-70 years). CONCLUSIONS: Reassuringly, approximately 18 years after RRSO, we found no association between premenopausal RRSO and objective cognition.

Short-acting ß2-agonist prescription patterns in patients with asthma treated by specialists in Thailand: results from SABINA III.

OBJECTIVE: Short-acting ß2-agonist (SABA) overuse is associated with poor asthma outcomes; however, the extent of SABA use in Thailand is largely unknown. As part of the SABA use IN Asthma (SABINA) III study, we describe asthma treatment patterns, including SABA prescriptions, in patients treated by specialists in Thailand. METHODS: In this observational, cross-sectional study, patients (aged ≥12 years) with an asthma diagnosis were recruited by specialists from three Thai tertiary care centers using purposive sampling. Patients were classified by investigator-defined asthma severity (per 2017 Global Initiative for Asthma [GINA] recommendations). Data on sociodemographics, disease characteristics, and asthma treatment prescriptions were collected from existing medical records by healthcare providers and transcribed onto electronic case report forms. Analyses were descriptive. RESULTS: All 385 analyzed patients (mean age: 57.6 years; 69.6% female) were treated by specialists. Almost all (91.2%) patients were classified with moderate-to-severe asthma (GINA treatment steps 3-5), 69.1% were overweight/obese, and 99.7% reported partially/fully reimbursed healthcare. Asthma was partly controlled/uncontrolled in 24.2% of patients; 23.1% experienced ≥1 severe asthma exacerbation in the preceding 12 months. Overall, SABAs were over-prescribed (≥3 canisters/year) in 28.3% of patients. Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), ICS/long-acting ß2-agonists, oral corticosteroid (OCS) burst treatment, and long-term OCS were prescribed to 7.0, 93.2, 19.2, and 6.2% of patients, respectively. Additionally, 4.2% of patients reported purchasing SABA over the counter. CONCLUSIONS: Despite receiving specialist treatment, 28.3% of patients were over-prescribed to SABA in the previous 12 months, highlighting a public health concern and the need to align clinical practices with current evidence-based recommendations.

Over-prescription of short-acting ß2-agonists is associated with poor asthma outcomes: results from the Latin American cohort of the SABINA III study.

OBJECTIVE: Short-acting ß2-agonist (SABA) over-reliance is associated with poor asthma outcomes. As part of the SABA Use IN Asthma (SABINA) III study, we assessed SABA prescriptions and clinical outcomes in patients from six Latin American countries. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, data on disease characteristics/asthma treatments were collected using electronic case report forms. Patients (aged ≥12 years) were classified by investigator-defined asthma severity (guided by the 2017 Global Initiative for Asthma) and practice type (primary/specialist care). Multivariable regression models analyzed the associations between SABA prescriptions and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Data from 1096 patients (mean age, 52.0 years) were analyzed. Most patients were female (70%), had moderate-to-severe asthma (79.4%), and were treated by specialists (87.6%). Asthma was partly controlled/uncontrolled in 61.5% of patients; 47.4% experienced ≥1 severe exacerbation in the previous 12 months. Overall, 39.8% of patients were prescribed ≥3 SABA canisters in the preceding 12 months (considered over-prescription). SABA canisters were purchased over the counter (OTC) by 17.2% of patients, of whom 38.8% purchased ≥3 canisters in the 12 months prior. Of patients who purchased SABA OTC, 73.5% were prescribed ≥3 SABA canisters. Higher SABA prescriptions (vs. 1 - 2 canisters) were associated with an increased incidence rate of severe exacerbations (ranging from 1.31 to 3.08) and lower odds ratios of having at least partly controlled asthma (ranging from 0.63 to 0.15). CONCLUSIONS: SABA over-prescription was common in Latin America, highlighting the need for urgent collaboration between healthcare providers and policymakers to align clinical practices with the latest evidence-based recommendations to address this public health concern.

Short-acting ß2-agonist prescriptions are associated with poor clinical outcomes of asthma: the multi-country, cross-sectional SABINA III study.

BACKGROUND: To gain a global perspective on short-acting ß2-agonist (SABA) prescriptions and associated asthma-related clinical outcomes in patients with asthma, we assessed primary health data across 24 countries in five continents. METHODS: SABINA III was a cross-sectional study that employed electronic case report forms at a study visit (in primary or specialist care) to record prescribed medication(s), over-the-counter (OTC) SABA purchases and clinical outcomes in asthma patients (≥12 years old) during the past 12 months. In patients with ≥1 SABA prescriptions, associations of SABA with asthma symptom control and severe exacerbations were analysed using multivariable regression models. RESULTS: Of 8351 patients recruited (n=6872, specialists; n=1440, primary care), 76.5% had moderate-to-severe asthma and 45.4% experienced ≥1 severe exacerbations in the past 12 months. 38% of patients were prescribed ≥3 SABA canisters; 18.0% purchased OTC SABA, of whom 76.8% also received SABA prescriptions. Prescriptions of 3-5, 6-9, 10-12 and ≥13 SABA canisters (versus 1-2) were associated with increasingly lower odds of controlled or partly controlled asthma (adjusted OR 0.64 (95% CI 0.53-0.78), 0.49 (95% CI 0.39-0.61), 0.42 (95% CI 0.34-0.51) and 0.33 (95% CI 0.25-0.45), respectively; n=4597) and higher severe exacerbation rates (adjusted incidence rate ratio 1.40 (95% CI 1.24-1.58), 1.52 (95% CI 1.33-1.74), 1.78 (95% CI 1.57-2.02) and 1.92 (95% CI 1.61-2.29), respectively; n=4612). CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates an association between high SABA prescriptions and poor clinical outcomes across a broad range of countries, healthcare settings and asthma severities, providing support for initiatives to improve asthma morbidity by reducing SABA overreliance.

Short-acting ß2-agonist prescription patterns in patients with asthma in Turkey: results from SABINA III.

BACKGROUND: Over-reliance on short-acting ß2-agonists (SABAs) is associated with poor asthma outcomes. However, the extent of SABA use in Turkey is unclear owing to a lack of comprehensive healthcare databases. Here, we describe the demographics, disease characteristics and treatment patterns from the Turkish cohort of the SABA use IN Asthma (SABINA) III study. METHODS: This observational, cross-sectional study included patients aged ≥ 12 years with asthma from 24 centres across Turkey. Data on sociodemographics, disease characteristics and asthma treatments were collected using electronic case report forms. Patients were classified by investigator-defined asthma severity (guided by the 2017 Global Initiative for Asthma [GINA]) and practice type (primary/specialist care). The primary objective was to describe SABA prescription patterns in the 12 months prior to the study visit. RESULTS: Overall, 579 patients were included (mean age [standard deviation; SD]: 47.4 [16.1] years; 74.3% female), all of whom were treated by specialists. Most patients had moderate-to-severe asthma (82.7%, GINA steps 3-5), were overweight or obese (70.5%), had high school or university/post-graduate education (51.8%) and reported fully reimbursed healthcare (97.1%). The mean (SD) asthma duration was 12.0 (9.9) years. Asthma was partly controlled/uncontrolled in 56.3% of patients, and 46.5% experienced ≥ 1 severe exacerbation in the preceding 12 months. Overall, 23.9% of patients were prescribed ≥ 3 SABA canisters in the previous 12 months (considered over-prescription); 42.9% received no SABA prescriptions. As few patients had mild asthma, only 5.7% were prescribed SABA monotherapy. Therefore, most patients (61.5%) were prescribed SABA in addition to maintenance therapy, with 42.8% receiving ≥ 3 SABA canisters in the previous 12 months. Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), ICS + a long-acting ß-agonist fixed-dose combination and oral corticosteroids were prescribed to 14.5%, 88.3% and 28.5% of all patients, respectively. Additionally, 10.2% of patients purchased SABA over the counter, of whom 27.1% purchased ≥ 3 canisters in the preceding 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: Despite all patients being treated by specialists and most receiving fully reimbursed healthcare, nearly a quarter of patients received prescriptions for ≥ 3 SABA canisters in the previous 12 months. This highlights a public health concern and emphasizes the need to align clinical practices with the latest evidence-based recommendations.

Endoscopic papillectomy; a retrospective international multicenter cohort study with long-term follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic papillectomy (EP) is considered a relatively safe and minimally invasive treatment for papillary adenomas. In the literature a significant risk for local recurrence is described. The aim of this study was to evaluate long-term recurrence rates and time-to-recurrence. Additionally, risk factors for recurrence, malignancy and adverse events were studied. METHODS: This is a retrospective study in consecutive patients with papillary adenomas who underwent EP in two tertiary referral hospitals between 2001 and 2018. Primary outcome was recurrence in patients with at least 1-year endoscopic follow-up. Secondary outcomes were surgery free survival, adverse events, and mortality within 30 days after the index procedure. RESULTS: A total of 259 patients were found eligible [median age 66 years, 130 male (50.2%)]. Forty-three patients were known with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) (16.6%). At least 1-year endoscopic follow-up was available in 154 patients with a total follow-up of 586 person-years and median of 40 months [interquartile range (IQR) 25-75]. Recurrence occurred in 24 cases (15.6%) of which 8 were known with FAP, leading to a recurrence incidence rate of 4.1 per 100 person-years with a median time-to-recurrence of 29 months (IQR 14.75-59.5). Fifty-three patients underwent at least 5-year follow-up, in 6 (11.3%) of them recurrence was encountered after 5 years of which four were known with FAP. No risk factors for recurrence could be identified. Adverse events occurred in 50/259 patients (19.3%). One patient died within 30 days after the procedure. Papillary stenosis occurred in 19/259 (7.3%) of the patients. There were no cases of malignant degeneration during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Recurrence after EP occurs in a significant proportion of patients and occurs even 5 years after EP. This emphasizes the need for long-term follow-up. We advise to consider at least 5-year follow-up in case of a sporadic adenoma, unless comorbidity makes follow-up clinically irrelevant.

Short-acting ß2-agonist prescriptions in patients with asthma: findings from the South Korean cohort of SABINA III.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Despite short-acting ß2-agonist (SABA) overuse being associated with poor asthma outcomes, data on SABA use in South Korea is scarce. Herein, we describe prescription patterns of SABA and other asthma medications in patients from the South Korean cohort of the SABA use IN Asthma (SABINA) III study. METHODS: This study included patients with asthma aged ≥ 12 years, who had ≥ 3 consultations with the same healthcare provider, and medical records containing data for ≥ 12 months prior to the study visit. Patients were classified by investigator-defined asthma severity (per 2017 Global Initiative for Asthma recommendations) and practice type (primary or specialist care). Data on disease characteristics, asthma treatments, and clinical outcomes in the 12 months before the study visit were collected using electronic case report forms. RESULTS: Data from 476 patients (mean age, 55.4 years; female, 63.0%) were analyzed. Most patients were treated by specialists (83.7%) and had moderate-to-severe asthma (91.0%). Overall, 7.6% of patients were prescribed ≥ 3 SABA canisters (defined as over-prescription). In patients prescribed SABA in addition to maintenance therapy, 47.4% were over-prescribed SABA. Most patients (95.4%) were prescribed a fixed-dose combination of an inhaled corticosteroid and a long-acting ß2-agonist as maintenance therapy. Although asthma was well-controlled/partly-controlled in 91.6% of patients, 29.6% experienced ≥ 1 severe asthma exacerbation. CONCLUSION: SABA over-prescription was reported in nearly 50% of patients prescribed SABA in addition to maintenance therapy, underscoring the need to align clinical practices with the latest evidence-based recommendations and educate physicians and patients on appropriate SABA use.

Overprescription of short-acting ß2 agonists: reflections from the SABINA study in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To assess prescription patterns for short-acting b2 agonists (SABAs) and other asthma medications in asthma patients treated by specialists and participating in the SABA use IN Asthma (SABINA) study in Brazil. METHODS: This was an observational, cross-sectional study conducted at five sites in different regions of Brazil. The primary endpoints were to record SABA prescriptions and obtain data on over-the-counter (OTC) SABA purchases at the pharmacy. RESULTS: Data on 218 asthma patients were analyzed. Of those 218 patients, 80.3% were prescribed SABAs in addition to their maintenance therapy, with a mean of 11.2 SABA canisters in the previous 12 months. Of those patients, 71.4% were prescribed ≥ 3 canisters and 42.2% were prescribed ≥ 10 canisters. None of the patients were prescribed SABA monotherapy. A total of 14.2% of the patients reported purchasing SABAs OTC at a pharmacy without a prescription. Of those, 48.4% purchased ≥ 3 SABA canisters. A fixed-dose combination of an inhaled corticosteroid and a long-acting b2 agonist was prescribed to 95.0% of the patients. In the year before the study visit, 45.0% of the patients received at least one course of oral corticosteroid burst treatment. Asthma was well controlled in 43.1% of the patients, partly controlled in 34.9%, and uncontrolled in 22.0%. Patients reported a mean of 1.1 severe asthma exacerbations, with 49.1% experiencing 1 or more severe exacerbations. CONCLUSIONS: Overprescription and OTC purchases of SABAs are common in Brazil, possibly leading to the need for courses of oral corticosteroids. The health care community should collaborate to implement evidence-based recommendations and promote health education to improve asthma management in Brazil.

SABA prescriptions and asthma management practices in Singapore: results from a cross-sectional, observational SABINA III study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate asthma characteristics and treatment patterns, including short-acting ß2-agonist (SABA) prescriptions, in primary and specialist care in the Singapore cohort of the SABA use IN Asthma (SABINA III) study. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, observational study. SETTING: Multicentre study conducted at five sites across Singapore. METHODS: In patients with asthma (aged ≥12 years), data on demographics, disease characteristics and asthma treatment prescriptions were collected using electronic case report forms. Patients were classified by investigator-defined asthma severity (guided by 2017 Global Initiative for Asthma recommendations) and practice type (primary/specialist care). RESULTS: Of the 205 patients analysed (mean (SD) age, 53.6 (16.8) years; female, 62%), 55.9% were enrolled by specialists and 44.1% by primary care physicians. Most study patients (80.5%) had moderate-to-severe asthma (86.0% in specialist care and 74.4% in primary care). In the 12 months before study enrolment, 18.0% of patients experienced ≥1 severe exacerbation. Asthma was well or partly controlled in 78.0% of patients. Overall, 17.1% of all patients were overprescribed SABA (≥3 SABA canisters/year) in the preceding 12 months, and overprescription was greater in specialist versus primary care (26.3% vs 5.6%). Only 2.9% of patients were prescribed SABA monotherapy, while 41.0% received SABA in addition to maintenance therapy. Among the latter, 40.5% were overprescribed SABA. Overall, a higher percentage of patients prescribed ≥3 SABA canisters (vs 0-2 SABA canisters) were assessed as having uncontrolled asthma during the study visit (42.9% vs 17.6%). Maintenance therapy in the form of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) or ICS/long-acting ß2 agonist fixed-dose combinations were prescribed to 14.1% and 84.9% of patients, respectively, in the 12 months before enrolment. CONCLUSIONS: In this Singapore cohort, ~17% of all patients and more than 40% of patients prescribed SABA in addition to maintenance therapy were overprescribed SABA. These findings emphasise the need to align clinical practices with the latest evidence-based treatment recommendations. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT03857178.

Toward a better understanding of severe asthma phenotypes in Latin America: results from the PREPARE study.

OBJECTIVE: Data on severe asthma phenotypes in Latin America are lacking. The PREPARE study describes the prevalence of certain determinants of severe asthma among patients in 5 Latin American countries with blood eosinophil counts (BEC) ≥300 cells/mm3 and serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) concentrations >100 IU/mL. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, information on demographics, disease characteristics, and asthma treatments were extracted from the existing medical records of patients aged ≥12 years attending centers specialized in severe asthma management. Medical record data were transcribed onto electronic case report forms. Blood eosinophil counts and IgE concentrations were assayed from specimens obtained at study visit. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Data from 461 patients with severe asthma (mean age, 50.5 years) were analyzed. Most patients were female (73%), had a body mass index of ≥25 kg/m2 (77%), and received full healthcare reimbursement (63%). In the previous 12 months, 52% of patients experienced ≥1 severe exacerbation and 44% received oral corticosteroid burst therapy. Blood eosinophil counts ≥300 cells/mm3 and ≥150 cells/mm3 were reported in 44% and 76% of patients, respectively. In 58% of patients, serum IgE concentrations exceeded 100 IU/mL. Uncontrolled asthma was documented in 50% (n = 230) of patients. CONCLUSIONS: The PREPARE study provides useful insights about the prevalence of eosinophilic and atopic phenotypes in patients with severe asthma in Latin America, thereby paving the way for a more personalized approach to managing severe asthma. Notwithstanding the treatment at specialized medical centers, disease burden remained high in this study population.

Evaluation of short-acting Beta-2-agonist prescriptions and associated clinical outcomes: Findings from the SABA use IN Asthma (SABINA) study in Asia.

Background: The extent of short-acting Beta-2-agonist (ß2-agonist) (SABA) use across Asian countries is not well documented. As part of the SABA use IN Asthma (SABINA) III study, we assessed SABA prescriptions and clinical outcomes in patients with asthma from Asia. Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited patients (aged ≥12 years) with asthma from 8 Asian countries. Data on disease characteristics and asthma treatments were collected using electronic case report forms. Patients were classified by practice type (primary or specialist care) and investigator-defined asthma severity (per Global Initiative for Asthma [GINA] 2017 recommendations). The association of SABA prescriptions with clinical outcomes was analyzed using multivariable regression models. Results: Overall, 3066 patients were analyzed, with a mean (standard deviation) age of 51.8 (16.7) years; of these patients, 2116 (69%) were female, 2517 (82.1%) had moderate-to-severe asthma and 2498 (81.5%) and 559 (18.2%) were treated in specialist and primary care, respectively. In total, 1423 (46.4%) patients had partly controlled/uncontrolled asthma, with 1149 (37.5%) patients experiencing ≥1 severe asthma exacerbation in the previous year. Overall, 800 (26.7%) patients were prescribed ≥3 SABA canisters in the previous year, which is regarded as overprescription and was associated with a significantly decreased odds of at least partly controlled asthma and increased incidence rates of severe exacerbations (P < 0.01 for both associations). Conclusion: The findings from this cohort of predominantly specialist-treated patients with asthma indicate SABA overprescription in at least 1 in every 4 patients, and this overprescription is associated with poor clinical outcomes. These data highlight the need for adherence to recently updated asthma treatment recommendations in Asia.

Short-acting ß2-agonist prescription patterns and clinical outcomes in Malaysia: A nationwide cohort of the SABINA III study.

Introduction: SABINA III assessed short-acting ß2-agonist (SABA) prescription patterns and their association with asthma-related outcomes globally. Herein, we examined SABA prescription and clinical outcomes in the Malaysian cohort of SABINA III. Method: In this observational, cross-sectional study, patients (≥12 years) were recruited between July and December 2019 from 15 primary and specialty care centres in Malaysia. Prescribed asthma treatments and severe exacerbation history within 12 months prior and asthma symptom control during the study visit were evaluated. Associations of SABA prescription with asthma control and severe exacerbation were analysed using multivariable regression models. Results: Seven hundred thirty-one patients (primary care, n=265 [36.3%]; specialty care, n=466 [63.7%]) were evaluated. The prevalence of SABA over-prescription (≥3 SABA prescriptions/year) was 47.4% (primary care, 47.1%; specialty care, 47.6%), 51.8% and 44.5% among all patients and patients with mild and moderate-to-severe asthma, respectively. Altogether 9.0% (n=66) purchased SABA without a prescription; among them, 43.9% (n=29) purchased ≥3 inhalers. The mean (standard deviation) number of severe asthma exacerbations was 1.38 (2.76), and 19.7% (n=144) and 25.7% (n=188) had uncontrolled and partly controlled symptoms, respectively. Prescriptions of ≥3 SABA inhalers (vs 1-2) were associated with lower odds of at least partly controlled asthma (odds ratio=0.42; 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.27-0.67) and higher odds of having severe exacerbation(s) (odds ratio=2.04; 95% CI=1.44-2.89). Conclusion: The prevalence of SABA over-prescription in Malaysia is high, regardless of the prescriber type, emphasising the need for healthcare providers and policymakers to adopt latest evidence-based recommendations to address this public health concern.

Over-prescription of short-acting ß2-agonists is associated with poor asthma outcomes: results from the African cohort of the SABINA III study.

BACKGROUND: The extent of short-acting ß2-agonist (SABA) overuse in Africa remains poorly documented. As part of the SABA use IN Asthma (SABINA) III study, we assessed SABA prescriptions/clinical outcomes in 3 African countries. METHODS: Data on disease characteristics/asthma treatments were collected from patients (≥12 years) using electronic case report forms. Patients were classified by investigator-defined asthma severity (guided by the 2017 Global Initiative for Asthma) and practice type (primary/specialist care). Multivariable regression models analyzed associations between SABA prescriptions and outcomes. RESULTS: Data from 1778 patients (mean age, 43.7 years) were analyzed. Most patients were female (62.4%) and had moderate-to-severe asthma (63.3%), with 57.1 and 42.9% of patients treated in specialist and primary care, respectively. Asthma was partly controlled/uncontrolled in 66.2% of patients, with 57.9% experiencing ≥1 severe exacerbation in the previous 12 months. Overall, 46.5% of patients were prescribed ≥3 SABA canisters in the preceding 12 months (over-prescription); 26.2% were prescribed ≥10 canisters. SABAs were purchased over-the-counter by 32.6% of patients, of whom 79.3% had received SABA prescriptions; 71.9% and 40.1% for ≥3 and ≥10 canisters, respectively. Higher SABA prescriptions (vs. 1-2 canisters) were associated with increased incidence rate of severe exacerbations and lower odds of having at least partly controlled asthma (except 3-5 canisters). CONCLUSIONS: Findings from this African cohort of the SABINA III study indicate that SABA over-prescription and SABA over-the-counter purchase are common and associated with poor asthma-related outcomes. This highlights the need for healthcare providers/policymakers to align clinical practices with the latest treatment recommendations.

Short-acting ß2-agonist prescription patterns for asthma management in the SABINA III primary care cohort.

Short-acting ß2-agonist (SABA) prescriptions and associated outcomes were assessed in 1440 patients with asthma from the SABA use IN Asthma (SABINA) III study treated in primary care. Data on asthma medications were collected, and multivariable regression models analysed the association of SABA prescriptions with clinical outcomes. Patients (mean age, 47.9 years) were mostly female (68.6%); 58.3% had uncontrolled/partly controlled asthma and 38.8% experienced ≥1 severe exacerbation (reported in 39% of patients with mild asthma). Overall, 44.9% of patients were prescribed ≥3 SABA canisters (over-prescription) and 21.5% purchased SABA over-the-counter. Higher SABA prescriptions (vs 1-2 canisters) were associated with significantly decreased odds of having at least partly controlled asthma (6-9 and 10-12 canisters) and an increased incidence rate of severe exacerbations (10-12 and ≥13 canisters). Findings revealed a high disease burden, even in patients with 'mild' asthma, emphasising the need for local primary care guidelines based on international recommendations.

SABA Overuse in Russia - Burden and Possible Causes: An Analysis of the Russian Population in the SABINA III (SABA use IN Asthma) Study.

Background: Short-acting ß2-agonists (SABA) overuse is associated with asthma morbidity and mortality. The SABA use IN Asthma (SABINA) program aimed to describe the global use of SABA in patients with asthma. SABINA III study was a cross-sectional study covering 24 countries. Methods: We performed statistical analysis of the Russian population (618 patients recruited in 12 centers) from the SABINA III study. In this study in patients aged ≥12 years, data on disease characteristics and asthma treatments were collected using real-time electronic case report forms. Patients were classified by asthma severity and control according to the 2017 GINA. All variables (asthma severity and control, number of severe exacerbations, SABA and other medications use) were analyzed descriptively only, no hypothesis was tested. Results: Majority of the study population consisted of patients with moderate/severe asthma (78.5%), while mild asthma was seen in 21.5%. Asthma was uncontrolled in 36.1% of patients and partly controlled in 33.5%. More than 80% of patients were treated with ICS/LABA fixed-dose combination. Almost half of all patients (47.0%) had at least 1 severe exacerbation in the previous 12 months. SABA over-prescription (≥3 canisters per year) was seen in 37% of patients. The frequency of SABA over-prescription was similar in patients with mild (35%) and moderate/severe (38%) asthma. SABA was purchased over-the-counter (OTC) in the past 12 months by 30.1% of all patients, and 14% purchased ≥3 canisters of SABA per year. About 91% of patients who purchased SABA OTC already received prescriptions for SABA, of whom 59% were prescribed ≥3 canisters per year. Conclusion: Russia is seeing very high level of SABA over-prescription. This is potentially associated with poor asthma control and frequent severe exacerbations. Over-prescription may serve as the main cause for SABA overuse in Russia. To reduce SABA overuse and improve overall asthma control in Russia, it is necessary to educate not just the patients but also the doctors, while actively implementing up-to-date asthma treatments.

Overprescription of short-acting β2 agonists: reflections from the SABINA study in Brazil / Prescrição excessiva de β2-agonistas de curta duração: reflexões a partir do estudo SABINA no Brasil

ABSTRACT Objective: To assess prescription patterns for short-acting b2 agonists (SABAs) and other asthma medications in asthma patients treated by specialists and participating in the SABA use IN Asthma (SABINA) study in Brazil. Methods: This was an observational, cross-sectional study conducted at five sites in different regions of Brazil. The primary endpoints were to record SABA prescriptions and obtain data on over-the-counter (OTC) SABA purchases at the pharmacy. Results: Data on 218 asthma patients were analyzed. Of those 218 patients, 80.3% were prescribed SABAs in addition to their maintenance therapy, with a mean of 11.2 SABA canisters in the previous 12 months. Of those patients, 71.4% were prescribed ≥ 3 canisters and 42.2% were prescribed ≥ 10 canisters. None of the patients were prescribed SABA monotherapy. A total of 14.2% of the patients reported purchasing SABAs OTC at a pharmacy without a prescription. Of those, 48.4% purchased ≥ 3 SABA canisters. A fixed-dose combination of an inhaled corticosteroid and a long-acting b2 agonist was prescribed to 95.0% of the patients. In the year before the study visit, 45.0% of the patients received at least one course of oral corticosteroid burst treatment. Asthma was well controlled in 43.1% of the patients, partly controlled in 34.9%, and uncontrolled in 22.0%. Patients reported a mean of 1.1 severe asthma exacerbations, with 49.1% experiencing 1 or more severe exacerbations. Conclusions: Overprescription and OTC purchases of SABAs are common in Brazil, possibly leading to the need for courses of oral corticosteroids. The health care community should collaborate to implement evidence-based recommendations and promote health education to improve asthma management in Brazil.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar os padrões de prescrição de short-acting b2 agonists (SABAs, b2-agonistas de curta duração) e outros medicamentos para asma em pacientes tratados por especialistas e participantes do estudo SABA use IN Asthma (SABINA) no Brasil. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo transversal observacional realizado em cinco locais em diferentes regiões do Brasil. Os desfechos primários foram registrar as prescrições de SABAs e obter dados a respeito da compra de SABAs sem receita médica na farmácia. Resultados: Foram analisados dados a respeito de 218 pacientes com asma. Dos 218 pacientes, 80,3% receberam prescrição de SABA além da terapia de manutenção, com uma média de 11,2 frascos de SABA nos 12 meses anteriores. Destes, 71,4% receberam prescrição de ≥ 3 frascos e 42,2% receberam prescrição de ≥ 10 frascos. Nenhum dos pacientes recebeu prescrição de monoterapia com SABA. Do total de pacientes, 14,2% relataram que compraram SABAs sem receita médica na farmácia. Destes, 48,4% compraram ≥ 3 frascos de SABA. Foram prescritas doses fixas combinadas de corticosteroide inalatório e b2-agonista de longa duração para 95,0% dos pacientes. No ano anterior à visita do estudo, 45,0% dos pacientes receberam pelo menos um ciclo de tratamento de curta duração com corticosteroide oral. A asma estava bem controlada em 43,1% dos pacientes, parcialmente controlada em 34,9% e não controlada em 22,0%. Os pacientes relataram uma média de 1,1 exacerbações graves da asma, sendo que 49,1% apresentaram uma ou mais exacerbações graves. Conclusões: A prescrição excessiva e a compra de SABAs sem receita médica são comuns no Brasil e possivelmente levam à necessidade de uso de corticosteroides orais. A comunidade de profissionais de saúde deve colaborar para implantar recomendações baseadas em evidências e promover a educação em saúde para melhorar o manejo da asma no Brasil.