ABS35: Not well controlled asthma is associated with increased use of unscheduled healthcare: Analysis in 26 countries

Abstract

Introduction:

Large scale surveys in Europe (AIRE), Asia Pacific (AIRIAP), and Latin America (AIRLA) showed that current levels of asthma control fall short of guideline-defined goals.

Aims:

This analysis determines the relationship between level of asthma control and use of unscheduled healthcare resources in 26 countries across the regions.

Subjects and methods:

Responses of patients aged =12 years included in the three surveys were mappedto the five items ofthe Asthma Control Test (ACTTM). Unscheduled healthcare resources used by patients (inpatient stay, ER visit, unscheduled primary care) were analysed for patients with not well controlled (NWC) asthma (derived ACTTM score <20) and well controlled asthma (derived ACTTM score 20–25).

Results:

6329 patients from 26 countries were included in the three surveys, with derived ACTTM scores evaluable for 5888 patients (93%). Approximately half of the patients (3072, 52%) had NWC asthma, with only 341 (6%) achieving the best possible derived ACTTM score (25). Over the previous year, 52% patients with NWC asthma (derived ACTTM score <20) reported use of any unscheduled healthcare resources compared with 29% of those with WC asthma (derived ACTTM score 20–25). Similarly more than twice as many patients reported ER visit/inpatient stay comparing NWC and WC asthma patients (34% and 14% respectively). Patients with a derived ACTTM score 5–14 (poorly controlled asthma) were more than three times as likely to report anER visit/inpatient stay compared with those with WC asthma, 47% and 14% respectively).

Conclusions:

NWC asthma in Europe, Asia Pacific and Latin America is associated with considerable use of unscheduled healthcare resource use. Management regimens that result in WC asthma may reduce the requirement for unscheduled healthcare and direct cost of the disease.

Conflict of interest and funding

No conflicting interests or funding.