Pharmacological treatment of asthma in a cohort of adults during a 20-year period: results from the European Community Respiratory Health Survey I, II and III

What is it about?

Asthma often remains uncontrolled, despite that the pharmacologic treatment has improved. We studied changes in the treatment of asthma over a 20-year period. Changes in the use of medication in the general population was measured in 4,617 subjects, while changes in treatment in adults with asthma were analysed in 369 participants. The study compares data from three surveys in 24 centres in 11 countries. The use of inhaled corticosteroids increased from 1.7 to 5.9% in the general population and the regular use of inhaled corticosteroids increased from 19 to 34% among the asthmatics. The number asthmatics reporting at asthma attacks in the last 12 months decreased while the number that had seen a doctor in the last year remained unchanged (42%). The use inhaled corticosteroids has increased, but only one third of those with asthma take this kind of medication daily. Less than half had seen a doctor during last year. This shows that under treatment and lack of regular health care contacts remains a problem in asthma.

Featured Image