RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Using community pharmacy to identify patients at risk of poor asthma control and potential contributory factors
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP p4620
VO 38
IS Suppl 55
A1 Helen Reddel
A1 Kate LeMay
A1 Bandana Saini
A1 Sinthia Bosnic-Anticevich
A1 Lorraine Smith
A1 Deborah Burton
A1 Jun Ju Christine Song
A1 M. Chehani Alles
A1 Kay Stewart
A1 Lynne Emmerton
A1 Ines Krass
A1 Carol Armour
YR 2011
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/38/Suppl_55/p4620.abstract
AB Aim: To describe a population identified by trained community pharmacists as being at risk for poor asthma outcomes, and to identify factors associated with poor asthma control.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 96 metropolitan and regional Australian pharmacies. Community pharmacists with specialised asthma training enrolled 570 patients aged ≥18 years with doctor-diagnosed asthma who were considered at risk based on suboptimal asthma control or lack of recent GP asthma review, and conducted a comprehensive asthma assessment. Assessment of asthma control was based on self-reported frequency of symptoms and activity limitation during the previous month. Asthma history, spirometry and inhaler technique were documented. Medication use was recorded from pharmacy records and self-report.Results: 570 patients were recruited, of whom 437 (77%) had poor asthma control. 21% smoked, 28% had an action plan, 69% used combination inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)/long-acting β2-agonist (LABA) medications, and only 17-28% used their inhaler correctly. In terms of adherence, 90% had their ICS or ICS/LABA dispensed <6 times in the previous 6 months, which is inconsistent with regular use. A logistic regression model showed that patients who smoked, had incorrect inhaler technique or low adherence were more likely to have poor control.Conclusions: Community pharmacists identified patients with asthma at risk of suboptimal control, and factors that contribute to this were identified. There is an opportunity within pharmacies to target poorly-controlled asthma and provide timely and tailored interventions.