Asthma medication use among U.S. adults 18 and older

Asthma is a chronic lung disease that currently affects an estimated 25 million Americans. One way to control the disease is by regular use of preventive asthma medications and controlled use of acute medications. However, little is known about adults with asthma and factors associated with their medication use.

To identify factors associated with asthma medication use among U.S. adults aged 18 and older.

Data were obtained from the 2006 to 2010 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS). Medication use outcome variables include: a) daily use of a preventive asthma medication (yes/no) and b) overuse (3+) of acute inhalers in last 3 months (yes/no). The Andersen Behavioral Model of Health Care was used to guide the selection of independent variables. The independent variables were categorized as predisposing, enabling and medical need factors. Logistic regression models were used to examine the relationship between asthma medication use in adults with asthma. Point estimates were weighted to the U.S. non-institutionalized population, and standard errors were adjusted to account for the complex survey design.

Compared to Whites, minority adults 18 and older were less likely to use preventive asthma medication daily (Hispanic-OR: 0.72, CI: 0.54-0.96; African American-OR: 0.62, CI: 0.51-0.75 respectively). Similarly, Hispanic adults age 18 and older were at a significantly higher likelihood of overusing rescue medications compared to Whites (OR: 1.47, CI: 1.03-2.11). Non-metropolitan adults age 18 and older were more likely to overuse acute asthma medications than those from Metropolitan Statistical Area (OR: 1.57, CI: 1.15-2.16). Compared to older adults age 65 and over, late mid-life 50-64 year old adults were less likely to use a daily preventive asthma medication (OR: 0.67, CI: 0.54-0.83).

Race, rurality and age were important factors associated with poor asthma medication use in U.S. adults. Although this is a first step toward identifying factors that may influence the use of asthma medications, future studies are needed to develop and implement interventions to overcome issues to improve asthma care.