Real-World Data Highlights Adherence Benefits for Patients With Asthma

As poor adherence is known to contribute to poorer outcomes in patients with asthma, researchers assessed the impact of single-inhaler inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)/long-acting β2 agonist (LABA) adherence and asthma-related outcomes.

Through a retrospective observational study, researchers confirmed the short-term clinical and economic benefits of ICS/LABA adherence, particularly for reducing severe exacerbations.

Included study participants were aged greater than 18 years, and had more than 12 months continuous eligibility before, and more than 180 days follow-up after, the index date. Data was sourced from the IQVIA PharMetrics Plus database from January 1, 2014, through March 31, 2019.

The proportion of days covered ([PDC] adherent ⩾0.8; non-adherent <0.8) each quarter was used to quantify adherence, including follow up each subsequent quarter. Primary endpoints included the following: asthma-related overall and severe (inpatient/emergency department [ED] visit) exacerbations, rescue medication use, and asthma-related health care resource utilization, and costs. The final sample included 50,037 patients, aged a mean 45.3 years, with a mean follow up of 23.3 months.

According to authors, more adherent patients were less likely to experience asthma-related overall or severe exacerbations compared with nonadherent patients

“Adherent patients had lower severe exacerbation rates (adjusted rate ratio [aRR] [95% CI]: 0.792 [0.702, 0.893]; P < .001) but similar overall exacerbation rates (aRR [95% CI]: 0.993 [0.945, 1.044]; P = .783) vs nonadherent patients,” said researchers.

Results also demonstrated more adherent patients were less likely to use rescue medications or go to the ED for treatment per quarter. Overall, authors found more adherent patients incurred lower costs.

“Insight into the impact of adherence on the burden of asthma is important for health care stakeholders and can assist in directing future efforts to improve clinical and economic outcomes for patients with asthma,” concluded researchers.

Reference:
Averell CM, Laliberte F, Germain G, et al. Impact of adherence to treatment with inhaled corticosteroids/long-acting β-agonists on asthma outcomes in the United States. Ther Adv Respir Dis. Published online August 29, 2022. doi: 10.1177/17534666221116997.