The purpose of this study is to assess the predictive ability of three asthma risk markers: the ratio of controller medication to total asthma medication, an albuterol only marker, and an oral corticosteroid use marker, as well as to compare the precision of these tools between adult and pediatric patient populations. This retrospective longitudinal analysis will use 2 different databases: a large managed care database and a large fee for service Medicaid database.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
101,437
participants with an asthma diagnosis who also had at least one dispensing event of an asthma-related medication and had at least one asthma controller medication (inhaled corticosteroids containing inhalers, methylxanthines, leukotriene receptor antagonists, cromolyn sodium) or albuterol.
Mean Ratio of Controller Medication to Total Asthma Medication
The ratio of controller medication (CM) to total asthma medication (AM), which is well established in predicting future asthma events in adults, was calculated as the ratio of the units of CMs used during the defined period divided by the sum of the units of CMs plus the units of inhaled short-acting beta-agonists used during the same period. A CM is defined as any inhaled corticosteroid containing medication, methylxanthines, leukotriene receptor antagonists, or cromolyn sodium. The ratio is calculated using all CM. Asthma controllers are medications used to treat asthma on a regular basis.
Time frame: January 1, 2004 to June 30, 2006: 3, 6, and 12 month follow-up periods
Mean Number of Short-acting Beta-agonist (SABA) Canisters Used
The number of albuterol canisters dispensed is a marker that is well established in predicting future asthma events in an adult population.
Time frame: January 1, 2004 to June 30, 2006: 3, 6, and 12 month follow-up periods
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