Short-acting β

Area of Science:

• Pulmonology
• Pharmacology
• Public Health

Background:

• Short-acting β2-agonist (SABA) overuse is a global concern in asthma management.
• Understanding SABA prescription patterns and their clinical impact in diverse healthcare settings is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate SABA prescription patterns in Malaysia.
• To investigate the association between SABA prescription frequency and asthma control and severe exacerbations within the SABINA III cohort.

Main Methods:

• An observational, cross-sectional study of 731 patients (≥12 years) in Malaysian primary and specialty care centers.
• Data collected on prescribed asthma treatments, SABA prescriptions, and asthma symptom control.
• Multivariable regression models analyzed associations between SABA prescription and asthma outcomes.

Main Results:

• A high prevalence of SABA over-prescription (≥3 prescriptions/year) was observed (47.4%).
• Nearly 10% of patients purchased SABA without a prescription, with a significant proportion buying multiple inhalers.
• Prescribing ≥3 SABA inhalers was associated with lower odds of partly controlled asthma and higher odds of severe exacerbations.

Conclusions:

• SABA over-prescription is a significant issue in Malaysia across different healthcare settings.
• Findings underscore the necessity for healthcare providers and policymakers to implement evidence-based recommendations to mitigate SABA overuse.
• Addressing SABA over-prescription is critical for improving asthma control and reducing exacerbations in Malaysia.