Evaluation of inhalation device prescribing trends: A retrospective database study in Japan

Inhalation therapy is crucial in treating obstructive lung diseases, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Improper inhalation techniques are associated with poor asthma and COPD management, increased exacerbation risk, and overutilization of healthcare resource. However, comprehensive analyses of prescription trends across diverse inhalation devices are limited. Therefore, we aimed to investigate inhalation device prescription trends in Japan from 2016 to 2022 using data from the National Database of Health Insurance Claims and Specific Health Checkups Open Data Japan.

Temporal changes in prescription patterns were analyzed across different device types, therapeutic categories, and patient demographics.

Our findings revealed major shifts toward combination therapies, particularly triple combination therapy (inhaled corticosteroid [ICS]/long-acting beta2-agonist [LABA]/long-acting muscarinic antagonist [LAMA]), in addition to the preference for newer devices, such as the Ellipta dry powder and Aerosphere pressurized metered-dose inhalers. Age- and sex-specific patterns emerged, with distinct preferences observed across demographic groups. The pediatric population primarily received ICS mono- and ICS/LABA combination therapies, while older adults showed increased use of the triple combination therapy. Sex disparities were particularly pronounced in the older population, with older male patients requiring LABA/LAMA and triple combination therapies more often than older female patients. An economic analysis revealed that while dry powder inhalers had the highest overall cost, the introduction of generic formulations markedly reduced expenditures.

The shift toward combination therapies and newer inhaler devices in Japan highlights the critical need for personalized treatment strategies that balance patient characteristics with economic factors.