Relationship between Asthma Drug Therapy Patterns and Healthcare Utilization

Annals of Pharmacotherapy - Tập 36 Số 4 - Trang 557-564 - 2002
Theresa I. Shireman1, Pamela C. Heaton2, Wendy E Gay3,4, Robert J. Cluxton5, Charles J. Moomaw6
1Theresa I Shireman PhD, Assistant Professor, Pharmacy Practice Department, School of Pharmacy, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS
2Pamela C Heaton MS, Visiting Assistant Professor, Division of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
3Wendy E Gay PharmD, at time of writing, PharmD Student, College of Pharmacy, University of Cincinnati; now, Clinical Staff Pharmacist, Martha Jefferson Hospital, Charlottesville, VA
4now, Clinical Staff Pharmacist, Martha Jefferson Hospital, Charlottesville, VA
5Robert J Cluxton Jr PharmD, Associate Professor, Division of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, University of Cincinnati
6Charles J Moomaw PhD, Research Associate, Institute for Health Policy and Health Services Research, University of Cincinnati

Tóm tắt

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Asthma drug therapy problems contribute significantly to preventable hospitalizations and increased healthcare use in asthmatics. Since asthma patients often require >1 medication for control of symptoms, concurrent asthma drug therapies may be important in predicting excessive healthcare utilization. The purpose of this study was to link inappropriate asthma drug therapy patterns and selected patient demographics to healthcare utilization. METHODS: This study was a retrospective, cross-sectional analysis of Ohio Medicaid medical, institutional, and prescription claims. We included ambulatory patients aged 15–65 years who had ≥2 claims for asthma (493.x) and who were continuously enrolled in the Medicaid fee-for-service program for the 12-month period from April 1998 through March 1999. We examined age, race, gender, metropolitan residence, presence of gastroesophageal reflux disease, and the usage patterns of inhaled corticosteroids, short-acting β2-agonists, long-acting β2-agonists, theophylline, and leukotriene receptor modifiers to identify asthma drug therapy problems based on national guidelines. The primary outcomes included the number of asthma-related hospitalizations, asthma-related emergency department visits, and oral steroid bursts. RESULTS: Among 10 959 asthma patients, only 46.8% of the study patients received >1 puff of inhaled corticosteroid per day. Forty-four percent of the patients received >3 puffs of short-acting β2-agonists per day. The most common outcome was an oral steroid burst (46.5%). Patients on high doses of short-acting β2-agonists had the greatest odds of receiving an oral steroid burst and were most likely to be hospitalized. African Americans were more likely to incur a hospitalization or emergency department visit. Women had greater odds of any undesirable asthma outcome. Higher use of short-acting β2-agonists led to higher odds of receiving a steroid burst or being hospitalized. Leukotriene receptor modifier use was related to higher levels of all outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: A large percentage of Ohio Medicaid patients were not receiving asthma medications in compliance with the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute guidelines. Despite nearly a decade of national efforts, asthma drug therapy patterns still have substantial room for improvement and continue to be associated with excess healthcare utilization.

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Annals of Pharmacotherapy

Tập 36 Số 4

557-564

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