New study confirms link between over-reliance on SABA inhalers and increase in asthma exacerbations
A new study published in The Advances in Therapy journal, using real world-data confirms a link between over-reliance on SABA inhalers and an increase in asthma exacerbations and asthma-related healthcare utilisation
The SABINA (SABA use IN Asthma) study examined prescription patterns and the impact of SABA inhaler use on asthma-related health outcomes in the UK. Data from more than half a million patients over 12 years old found that over 200,000 people (38%) were classified as having high SABA inhaler use (prescribed ≥3 inhalers/year) which was associated with approximately twice the number of asthma attacks compared with low users (prescribed 0-2 inhalers/year), regardless of asthma severity. High SABA inhaler use was associated with an increased risk of exacerbations compared to low SABA inhaler users.
This retrospective, longitudinal, open-cohort study used data from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) and Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) database between 2007-2017. Patient prescription data and treatment steps were reviewed when considering their use of SABA, both separately, and with outcomes of exacerbations or asthma-related healthcare utilisation.
5.4 million people (4.3 million adults) live with asthma in the UK. Every 10 seconds someone in the UK has a potentially life-threatening asthma attack, with on average, three people dying from asthma every day.
More resources to support you to help your patients overcome SABA overreliance can be found on our Asthma Right Care web pages.