Medication use in uncontrolled pediatric asthma: results from the syspharmpedia study

Abstract

Background: Uncontrolled pediatric asthma has a large impact on patients and their caregivers. More insight into determinants of uncontrolled asthma is needed. We aim to compare treatment regimens, inhaler techniques, medication adherence and other characteristics of children with controlled and uncontrolled asthma in the: Systems Pharmacology approach to uncontrolled Paediatric Asthma (SysPharmPediA) study. Material and methods: 145 children with moderate to severe doctor-diagnosed asthma (91 uncontrolled and 54 controlled) aged 6-17 years were enrolled in this multicountry, (Germany, Slovenia, Spain, and the Netherlands) observational, case-control study. The definition of uncontrolled asthma was based on asthma symptoms and/or exacerbations in the past year. Patient-reported adherence and clinician-reported medication use were assessed, Abbreviations: SysPharmPediA, systems pharmacology approach to uncontrolled paediatric asthma; GINA, global initiative of asthma; ICS, Inhaled corticosteroids; LTRA, leukotriene receptor antagonists; LABA, long-acting Beta2-agonists; OCS, oral corticosteroids; SABA, short-acting Beta2-agonists; MARS, medication adherence rating scale; FEV 1 , forced expiratory volume in one second; Δ FEV 1 % predicted, difference between FEV 1 % predicted post and pre salbutamol; ACQ, asthma control questionnaire; ACT, asthma control test; SPC, summary of product characteristics; MDI, metered dose inhaler; DPI, dry powder inhaler; AIC, akaike information criterion.