Choices and preferences in asthma management

Area of Science:

• Pulmonology
• Clinical Practice
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Asthma management guidelines evolve, necessitating regular assessment of physician prescribing habits.
• Understanding current prescribing trends in Singapore is crucial for optimizing patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prescribing patterns of asthma management among various medical practitioners in Singapore.
• To identify trends and variations in treatment approaches for acute and chronic asthma.

Main Methods:

• A questionnaire survey was distributed to 3,153 medical practitioners registered in Singapore.
• Data were collected and analyzed from 797 respondents across four defined groups: non-specialist general practitioners, non-specialists in public hospitals, chest specialists, and non-respiratory specialists.

Main Results:

• Beta-agonists (inhaled or nebulised) were the preferred treatment for acute severe asthma across all respondent groups.
• For chronic asthma maintenance, beta-agonists and oral theophylline were commonly prescribed for both adults and children.
• The use of inhaled corticosteroids was generally conservative, reserved for cases unresponsive to bronchodilators.

Conclusions:

• Prescribing habits for asthma in Singapore show a consistent reliance on beta-agonists for acute exacerbations.
• Maintenance therapy for chronic asthma predominantly involves beta-agonists and theophylline, with cautious use of inhaled corticosteroids.
• Further research may explore patient-reported outcomes and adherence to treatment guidelines.