PharmacoEconomics & Outcomes News 375 - 10 Aug 2002

Suboptimal use of inhaledcorticosteroids for asthma in

TrinidadUnderstanding and use of inhaler medication among

patients with asthma in Trinidad remains poor, despitethe dissemination of the Caribbean Guidelines forAsthma Care in 1998. This is the main finding of a studyconducted by researchers from the UK and Trinidad andTobago. The study included 402 patients (aged > 7years) with stable asthma attending an asthma clinic inTrinidad between June 1998 and July 2000. Patientswere interviewed regarding their understanding of,compliance with, and use of, inhaler medications.

The study showed that inhaled salbutamol, which isindicated only for symptom relief, was prescribed morefrequently than beclomethasone (98% vs 83% ofpatients). These findings are ‘disturbing’, note theresearchers. Beclomethasone was particularlyunderprescribed in children (62% of patients) and inpatients aged ≥ 65 years (63%). The study also showedthat only 33% of patients were able to demonstrate thecorrect use of a pressurised metered-dose inhaler.Furthermore, while 60% of patients reportedcompliance with prescribed medications, 43% indicatedthat they had stopped using their medication whenfeeling well. The dissemination and implementation ofasthma management guidelines needs to be improvedto optimise asthma therapy, particularly the use ofinhaled corticosteroids, conclude the researchers.Pinto Pereira LM, et al. Understanding and use of inhaler medication by asthmaticsin speciality care in Trinidad: a study following development of CaribbeanGuidelines for asthma management and prevention. Chest 121: 1833-1840, Jun2002 800912851

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PharmacoEconomics & Outcomes News 10 Aug 2002 No. 3751173-5503/10/0375-0001/$14.95 Adis © 2010 Springer International Publishing AG. All rights reserved